Christmas and New Year's are times of celebration, but when you have a sick daughter or son, those days can become very sad. Our hearts light up when we hear the story of Nicole and Juan Pablo, a young but feisty couple from Cabildo, who spent their New Year's Eve at Corporación Renal Infantil MATER. Their daughter Octavia, only two years and five months old, was coming out of a complex operation at the Exequiel Gonzalez Hospital. The risks of returning to Cabildo so quickly were great, and the Casa de Acogida gave them a cozy and safe space to spend the postoperative period together while Octavia recovers.
"For New Year's Eve we shared with other families, everyone cooked. Another mother prepared a snack, I cooked a beef brisket with browned potatoes and salads, and for dessert we had peaches with cream and ice cream. This New Year's here was different," says Nicole.
"We feel welcomed. It's good to feel supported not only among ourselves, but to know other stories and to know that we are not the only ones going through this," says Juan Pablo.
"Being here is like being at home. The rules are like those of any home, I can be calm, I am very close to the hospital for anything. Thank God, this foster home opened its doors to me and I'm a block away from the hospital, that's what puts my mind at ease. It is so cozy. Juan Pablo is happy because we have a lot of space, greenery, a ping-pong table, blackboards, etc.", comments Nicole.
Nicole's story
Nicole, a 27-year-old mother from Cabildo, lives a unique reality with her twins, Octavia and Renata, aged 2 years and 5 months. From the beginning, Octavia's story presented unexpected challenges. While Renata appeared healthy on ultrasound scans, Octavia hid her medical conditions. In the third month, they discovered that she had an omphalocele, and at birth, the surprise was even greater when they realized a malformation of the urinary, genital and intestinal tract, known as Cloaca Anomaly.
Octavia faced a serious and unique situation for the doctors, who "learned" with her case. Two days after her birth, she underwent a 7-hour intervention, remaining in an induced coma for almost 3 months. Her mother, Nicole, describes the shocking scene of seeing her daughter connected to tubes and blindfolds. Octavia is currently wearing a catheter and tutors, having undergone surgery not only on her bladder but also on her hips.
The family resides in the Fifth Region, in Cabildo, but all treatments are carried out in Santiago. They came to Corporación Renal Infantil MATER thanks to Dr. Pedro José López. Nicole emphasizes the importance of the Corporation's House of Reception, as it has enabled them to have a place to stay that has allowed them to be close to the hospital while her daughter is recovering post-operatively.
Nicole's story is a testimony of challenges overcome and the importance of social support. Nicole's youth is faced with the responsibility of caring for her daughter and finding solutions to improve Octavia's quality of life. The community at the Corporation, the medical connections and the mutual support between the families have been key in this journey.
Juan Pablo, Octavia's father, emphasizes the importance of feeling supported and sharing experiences with other families. Solidarity and understanding among those facing similar challenges become a fundamental pillar during this journey.
The home in Santiago has become a haven for these families, where they find support, understanding and an environment conducive to recovery and growth, both for the young patients and their courageous caregivers.
