Heart surgery patient on road to recovery

THE  first word  she uttered was   “Mama” the moment she woke up Monday in the recovery room after surgery to repair a hole in her heart.

Cristabel Boybanting, 13, is recuperating well in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) where the charity  operation was done.

She was transferred to a private room about 2 p.m. yesterday.

It was the first open heart surgery conducted in a government hospital in Central Visayas, according to the Department of Health.

In a phone interview, Cristabel’s 40-year-old mother, Catalina, said that only one person was allowed to enter the recovery room after the surgery to isolate her from any infection and dust.

“Gipasulod ko nila. Gipalili sa gawas si Saul,” (I was allowed inside [the recovery room]. My husband, Saul, was peeping from  outside.) Catalina said.
Doctors told her  Cristabel was awake and looking for her parents.

“Nisangpit siya ug ‘Mama,’” (She  called for “Mama.”) Catalina quoted the doctors as saying.

The  housewife said her  husband, a truck driver, went home to  barangay Hamigit, Naga City yesterday since visitors were restricted.

When Catalina entered the recovery room past 2 p.m., Cristabel was asleep.

The mother was required to wear a laboratory gown and face mask.

Shortly after,  Cristabel awoke, looked at her  and asked if she  and her father already had lunch.

“Ayaw kabalaka, anak. Humana mi ug kaon” (Don’t worry, my child. We’ve already  eaten) was Catalina’s reply.

Nurses dabbed water on  Cristabel’s lips when the girl said she was thirsty.  Her soft diet was limited to  rice porridge (lugaw)  but she wasn’t allowed to drink water straight yet.

Cristabel will also be given pain relievers if she experiences  pains in chest, still fresh with stitches.

Dr. Monico Perez and Dr. Samuel Yadao frequently visit to monitor her condition.

Catalina said she would need government assistance for her daughters maintenance  medicine once she’s  discharged.

But while the teenager is confined in the government hospital, all medical supplies and requirements are  were free.

Cristabel suffered a congenital condition called   atrial septal defect (ASD) where the  wall that separates the upper heart chambers (atria) of the heart do not close completely.

She was diagnosed with the condition last May 2011.

Doctors said she complained of shortness of breath and underwent tests.

After months of waiting for charity help with other patients in  the Perpetual Succor Hospital,  the family was told that VSMMC was looking for a patient with ASD.

Last Monday, Cristabel’s open heart surgery was done for free by six cardiac surgeons and one cardiac anesthesiologist of the VSMMC Cardiac Team headed by Dr. Perez.

The cardiac surgeons who also took turns in the operation were Dr. Samuel Yadao, Dr. Rodolfo Abalos Jr., Dr. Arnold Tan, Dr. Peter Mancao, Dr. Jonathan Alo. The cardiac anesthesiologist was Dr. Earl Alfon.

Catalina said her daughter had no major signs of  of unusual weakness although the  girl  mentioned feeling  dizzy and feeling pain in her abdomen when she was in fifth grade.

Cristabel’s open heart surgery last Monday started about 8 a.m. and lasted for about two to three hours. /Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell