Maria awaits surgery.
Maria Xitimaul is a 38 year old Guatemalan registered nurse whom we have brought to the United States for a total hip replacement. The local hospital and orthopedic surgeon have agreed to not charge anything for their services. We initially thought the company that provides the total hip prosthesis (to include the stem, shell, liner, and head) would donate this equipment. However, we must now pay $5,500 for this prosthesis to be used in her surgery.
Maria suffered a left hip fracture/dislocation at age 4 when she slipped and fell in a mud-puddle in northern Guatemala. Her parents were very poor, and also alcoholics, so she received no treatment until age 21. Routine x-rays at that time showed that her left hip bone was about 6 inches displaced from the hip socket. Amazingly, she had been trying to get around on this hip for 17 years with it completely dislocated.
After 2 failed hip surgeries in Guatemala, including a below-the-knee amputation, she has now been approved for a left total hip replacement. We expect her surgery to be in the next week. After she recovers from surgery she will be returning to work as a nurse in Guatemala.
If you would like to help pay for this prosthesis for Maria, please send your check to Second Hope Ministries International or make a donation on line.
