Adios Joseline!
After three months of procedures and scans and one marathon surgery, Joseline is finally ready to return home to Guatemala.
This Saturday, she and her mother Veronica will be flying with volunteers who will be leaving for the next surgical mission to Guatemala coordinated by the Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Shalom Foundation, a Nashville-based group that organizes international medical missions.
“It’s like a homecoming,” said Steven Goudy, M.D. “I’m excited for her to get to home. It’s been an overall success, and we’re sending home a happy child and mom to Guatemala.”
Joseline was at Children’s Hospital Sept. 19 for a procedure much like the one she had Sept. 2. Radiologist Mark Bittles, M.D., injected medicine to treat a few more places on her neck that were ballooning up. She also had more plastic drains placed under her skin.
“What Dr. Bittles did will continue to improve things, and she can always come back, depending on her family and finances,” Goudy said. “I’m satisfied. We improved her function and cosmetics. We met the major goals, but we can address things again down the road.”
The Shalom Foundation, which has been integral in providing this opportunity for Joseline, has organized a send-off celebration for her tomorrow evening.
“Joseline is doing very well following her surgery. Over the last few weeks, she has proven to be a real fighter. She is playing, laughing and smiling again,” said Steve Moore, chairman of The Shalom Foundation. “We are so pleased with the good outcome for her future and her health.”
Saturday will mark the fourth time that Children’s Hospital and The Shalom Foundation have teamed up to take top-notch medical care to the children of Guatemala. On this trip, they will also be announcing funding to support a campaign to renovate a Guatemalan hospital into a state-of-the-art surgery center to serve the community more permanently.
Stayed tuned as Lori Graves, R.N., takes over the International Blog to chronicle the team’s efforts to bring more life-changing head, neck and facial surgeries to the children of Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Tags: Guatemala, international medicine, Joseline, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
September 30th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Josie looked great at her ice cream social–I know she and Veronica are very excited about seeing the rest of the family. Good luck and best wishes to both of them as they return home to Guatemala–Thanks to her sponsor family for all of their support! The human heart is amazing- it’s size does not limit it’s love–thanks to everyone who played any role in Josie’s care!