Tina

Tina and her seven siblings live with their parents Maya and Fredy in a remote area of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Fredy works as a farmer to support the family of ten. All the children were born at home and they typically rely on natural medicine rather than seeking outside medical attention for any illness in the family. So, when it became evident that Tina had serious health problems, it was her older sister, Amelia, who mobilized the family to find help.

Eleven-year-old Tina demonstrated a deteriorated state of health for some time, but her parents hoped the illness would go away on its own. After extended periods of nausea, dizziness, weight loss, and difficulty breathing, Tina’s parents agreed to take her to the hospital for medical testing. A cardio-surgical team diagnosed her with a congenital mitral valve malformation that would require emergency surgery.

Tina and her parents were referred to Puente de Solidaridad in Cochabamba for assistance. In the interview with social workers, Tina shared: “I do not want to make my parents spend what little we have. The money we have provides food for our family. I am sorry. It seems that everything is money and we do not have it. Hopefully you can help me. I am happy to have found you, because it seems that every day I am weaker.”

At the same time her sister shared: “My parents do not realize that Tina’s situation is serious. I have already argued with them. They told me if something happens to her it will be my responsibility, but I do not care. She is my little sister and I love her very much. I am the only one who is fighting so that the surgery can be done at once. I don't want my little sister to die.”

To the family’s great relief, Tina underwent a successful operation on July 26th at the Prosalud Clinic in Cochabamba. Dr. Carlos Brockmann performed the mitral valvuloplasty with prosthesis to repair Tina’s malfunctioning mitral valve. Tina’s surgery was made possible through the support of talented partner surgeons, Puente de Solidaridad, and with financial support from the Goff Gift Fund. Tina remained in the hospital for one week after her surgery. She will continue to be accompanied in the weeks and months ahead by her many family members, as well as her cardiology team, and the Puente de Solidaridad community.

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