Last week I shared that Angelita is struggling. She has almost stopped eating and has recently began vomiting. We feared that the pressure on her brain from her hydrocephalus was increasing, and yesterday that fear was confirmed. We received the results of her tomography, and they show that the fluid pocket in the middle of her brain has increased in size, compressing her brain against her skull.
In the past our neurosurgeon told us that he could not do surgery to install a shunt, as the removal of fluid would result in her brain collapsing on itself. However, the rapid decline in her condition has moved us to seek out other surgeons.
Last night I shared the results for the tests on Facebook, asking for prayer. My friend, Dennis McCutcheon, saw the post and got involved. He works with Vine International here in Guatemala, and they do amazing medical missions. He immediately put us in contact with a different neurosurgeon, and I sent him Angelita's scans.
This doctor believes that he can install a special shunt that will relieve her pressure without causing her brain, which is hollow, to collapse in on itself. He has offered to do the surgery for free (Praise God!), but we will have to pay for the hospital, anesthesiologist, meds, and other expenses. These will likely cost between $2500 and $3500. The surgery will have to happen quickly, so we cannot wait until the funds are raised to proceed. So we will be moving forward, trusting God to supply the funds.
We do not fund raise for our ministry expenses, but we do for specific needs of children. If you would like to help, you can donate in two ways:
- Send a check to: Hope for Home Ministries, PO Box 393, Troy, OH 45373. Please write "Angelita's Surgery" in the memo section.
- Go to www.hopeforhome.org/donate.html and click the PayPal Donate button.
If you donate, please send me an email at daryl@hopeforhome.org to let me know the money is coming. Please note: 100% of your gift will go to the need. Thanks so much!
Please pray for our girl. We have an appointment with the surgeon today at 2:00 and will know more then.
Blessings!
Daryl
