I am writing this letter with great hope. I and my husband have struggled with infertility for few years. We pursued many treatments as our biological clock ticks on, but we remained hopeful. Month after month we tried, and nothing happened. Finally after nearly 3 years of trying, lo and behold – I was Pregnant!  My joy knew no bounds; I promised I will give him the best life I could afford.  9 months later, my baby boy was born with great difficulties.

Three days after delivery the doctor’s diagnosed Maro (My baby name) was not healthy. Maro had Tracheoesophageal Fistula/Oesophageal Atresia (TEF/EA). Our joy quickly turned to worries, it was a miracle he survived three days after birth with all the drugs given remaining in his month. Nothing could go through his month because the esophagus does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach. A major surgery was needed, we gave off all our finances to give him the best treatment in the country.

 
First, Gastrostomy was done for feeding the baby so he could gain weight and enough blood for the major operation. A hole was made in his neck to let out saliva (Esophagostomy). However, since the first gastrostomy operation, there has been complications, such as food spillage. We went back to the hospital and the doctor suggested a repeat operation which we must pay for. The problem did not go away. They operated on the different spots in his stomach 6th times! Most of the complications could have been avoided with adequate medical equipment and competency. Our experience in the hospital was less than exciting, the doctors did a lot of trying an error treatments and it was obvious they lack the right equipment and experience to treat him well. We became broke financially because of the cost of treatments. Maro is now 14 Months old still with Tracheoesophageal Fistula and now, a grown Hernia. We do not have enough money for the major operations, we also are afraid we might lose him if we do the operation in Nigeria. His condition is getting worse day by day.
 
We have contacted doctors in the United States, Germany, and Singapore. They were optimistic they have the experience and equipment to give my boy a chance at life. But the estimates we got are far beyond us. At the moment, we cannot even afford the bad treatment in Nigeria.
 
We are extremely in need of support from well meaning individuals and organization to assist with my son’s surgery.

Best regards,
 
Gladys Osaretin Omonikobe (Mother)

Contact:
Email:gladys.omonikobe@gmail.com