Esdras’s Story

              

                In the Fall of 2008, Carlos and Elsa Escobar and their two year old son, Misael, of Fort Washington, Maryland, were excitingly awaiting a new addition to their family.  They were unsure what to expect since their doctor informed them at five months into the pregnancy that their baby would be born with a serious heart condition.

                Baby Esdras was born on November 5, 2008.  His prenatal diagnosis meant his coronary vein was not closed.  For two months following his birth, he remained at the Children’s Hospital Washington Center in Washington D.C.  The hospital was located approximately 20 minutes from their home in Maryland.  At just five months old, Esdras had his first heart operation.  After the surgery, his heart seemed to be functioning normally. Esdras appeared to advance as a healthy and happy infant.

                In January 2010, the Escobars took Esdras to a routine appointment with his cardiologist.  Soon after, it seemed Esdras was getting very sick.  He was crying a lot and was uncomfortable eating and sleeping.  Carlos and Elsa rushed their son to the emergency room in Washington D.C.  The doctors felt Esdras had a small infection and needed to be admitted in order to further evaluate the situation. 

                Two days later, Esdras went into cardiac arrest twice.  At this time, the medical staff informed Carlos and Elsa that it was necessary for Esdras to receive a heart transplant.  Things evolved very quickly and the Escobars were afraid and overwhelmed.  They were sent to Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh in order to be evaluated in preparation for transplant qualification.  Esdras was assessed and placed on the transplant list.

                The waiting process began in January, but it would be nearly two months before they would hear anything.  At four o’clock in the morning on March 23, 2010, Carlos received a call that a donor had been found.  He drove immediately from Maryland to Pittsburgh.  Esdras emerged from the operating room after six long hours with a fully functioning heart.  Carlos and Elsa wept with happiness.

                The process did not end with a successful transplant.  The Escobar family has to work hard to keep their nineteen month old safe from infections or setbacks.  Keeping their family afloat financially and emotionally during this frightening time has been a struggle for the Escobars.  Being matched up with the Erika Kate Foundation through social worker, Laura Stabile, came at the right time says Esdras’s daddy, “We are Christians and this has helped us very much because God has given us the strength to go on.  Finding the Erika Kate Foundation has blessed us.  EKF helped us when we needed it.  God bless this foundation and continue to help other families.  Thank you for everything.” The Erika Kate Foundation has been grateful to utilize the talents of Erika’s aunt, RaeAnn Latko, to translate for and work with the Escobars.

                Esdras remains in Pittsburgh, but seems to be doing much better.  With the support and prayers of Erika Kate Foundation supporters and his strong family, the future for little Esdras and his healthy heart looks very bright.