HKIE Child 438

​Meet 7 year old Miguel Valencia from the Quito area. We were introduced to him via our friend at Hospital Metropolitano in Quito. While discussing another matter she told us the story of this young boy who desperately needed surgery. About two years ago, late one night, Miguel mistook a bottle containing a corrosive cleaner for a drink. The upper part of his esophagus was totally destroyed. The first hospital he was rushed to said nothing could be done. His parents got him to another hospital where they inserted a feeding tube and the doctors told Miguel and his parents that was how he would live his life...never again tasting food or drink!
Fortunately Miguel came to the attention of the doctors at Metropolitano. While it is a fairly new procedure, the doctors and parents decided an esophageal replacement could be the answer.
This was a complicated eight hour surgery!
Great News! HKIE was just notified by the hospital that not only is Miguel out of intensive care, he is eating solids for the first time since the accident and thoroughly enjoying every bite! Miguel is due to return home safely on Friday.
Thanks to the staff at Metropolitano who donated their services, and the generous donors of HKIE, this young man will now be able to live and enjoy a normal life!
The dramatic increase in the quality of his life is beyond words!