Helping Wilson Heal
In 2002, Wilson Rodriguez was born without an anus and his body was dangerously unable to excrete waste. He lives with his mom and two younger siblings in Hoya de Bartola, referred to as “The Hole”, a landfill in Santiago, Dominican Republic. G.O. Ministries met Wilson through our Nutrition Center there where his mom faithfully serves as one of the cooks each day. At three days old, he had a colostomy to place his colon on the outside of his body. At five years old he underwent reconstructive surgery that resulted in failure and numerous complications. By six years old, they had to give him another colostomy that he has battled one infection after the other in addition to bleeding due to the unsanitary conditions he lives in.
Wilson continued to get sick and in November, Dr. David Foley agreed to perform the surgeries pro bono and Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY agreed to provide all of their services to restore his body and give him the best possible outcome for a healthy life. Wilson and his mom, Tatiana, received their visas and will be flying with G.O. Ministries president, Brook Brotzman, to Louisville on Sunday, November 13. Wilson will begin a myriad of tests on Wednesday, November 16. Following the results, his medical team will decide what route they will take to repair his condition. They are currently estimating at least two surgeries and a timeframe of six months to a year.
Wilson and Tatiana will be staying with host family, Darryl and Denise Manias who have a long term partnership with G.O. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to help, nurture and love Wilson and his mom through this process. While Kosair will be graciously covering his stay at the hospital, he will incur other costs that we estimate between $10,000 and $12,000. G.O. Ministries will cover visa expenses, travel expenses, outpatient pharmacy costs, clothing and school supplies, and unexpected costs that will arise. You can help Wilson by making a donation here (or sending a check to G.O. Ministries with “Helping Wilson” written in the memo.
We want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Stephen Wright, Medical Director Kosair Children’s Hospital; Dr. David Foley, Pediatric Surgeon; Dr. In Kim, Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Dr. Steve Diamond, Director Healing the Children; and Jeff Lilly, Vice President Finance and Operations Kosair Children’s Hospital, for your generosity and compassion.
Update on Wilson
Wilson now has a date for his reconstructive surgery: January 23, 2012. This day is fast approaching. Wilson had a wonderful time at Christmas, receiving gifts from his host family and their church. He was also able to make a gift for his mother which he was so pleased to give her. He has remained in good health with the exception of another admission to the hospital for one night due to complications with the catheter he currently needs. He has remained active and happy, playing with other kids when possible and continuing his school work. Because of all his illnesses, he is behind where he should be for his age. With the individualized attention he receives from homeschooling with his host family, he is quickly catching up.
Prior to his surgery, we will be having a time of prayer for Wilson. Details are not yet finalized, but contact Josanne Johnson if you would like further details. The surgery will be a long one, lasting at least 4 hours but expected to take up to twice that time. We would like to cover this time in prayer. If you would like to sign up for a 15-minute time period to spend praying for Wilson and his doctors during this time, again please contact Josanne Johnson to schedule your time. The surgery will consist of the reconstruction of his bowels with the ultimate endpoint being elimination of his colostomy. The doctors are cautiously optimistic that this will be possible. A pediatric urologist will also be present during the operation to perform a procedure to correct a defect in his urinary tract which was a side effect of his original reconstruction attempt in the D.R. They will use tissue from smooth muscle layer in his mouth to correct the urinary tract issues. He will remain in the hospital for at least 5 days. If you would like to visit during this time, or if you would like to bring a meal or other supplies, please contact Josanne Johnson.
This is the most crucial time for Wilson. He need the support of the G.O. Ministries community more than ever in January. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. This journey of healing still needs your support. If you would like to give a donation in support of his care, please do so here or by sending a check with "Helping Wilson" in the memo line to the ministry office at 11501 Plantside Drive, Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299.
Wilson’s Recent Surgery
Wilson’s recent surgery was successful. After six hours, the urologist was able to repair the urethra and fistula and the surgeon was able to construct an anus. Wilson will remain in the hospital for five to six days to recover and then return in two weeks for further procedures under sedation to test his bladder function. He will then continue the healing process and in two to three months will undergo the second part of the surgery where they will remove his colostomy and catheter and rework everything back to its normal function. After that surgery, he will need an additional few months of rehab and careful watch to monitor how his body reacts to the surgeries. Please pray for his strength, courage and protection from infection as he endures this process.
While Kosair Children’s Hospital and the surgeons are donating their care while he is in the hospital, we are still in need of several thousand dollars to pay for his outpatient care. Please join us in helping heal Wilson by donating today. You may also visit him at the hospital or take a meal by contacting Josanne Johnson.
Below is a video update from Wilson’s surgery.
