Her initial injury did not involve burns. A large steel sink in the family home accidentally detached from the wall, landing on Sophia’s abdomen.
Doctors at a local clinic determined surgery was necessary because Sofia’s duodenum, part of the small intestine, was perforated. Doctors performed the repair, but Sofia developed fistulas, which are tunnels that can form between tissues after surgery, inhibiting the healing process. Suyapa, Sofia’s mother, recalled how difficult it was for the family.
“I remember the day after the accident was Children's Day in Honduras. She was in pre-kindergarten and was going to dress up as a princess; she wanted to wear a Snow White dress, but it wasn't possible,” she said.
Sofia was transferred to another medical facility for surgery to repair the fistulas. Suyapa remembers how brave her daughter was as she prepared for yet another surgery. “She said goodbye to us parents with a smile and said to me – see you, Mommy.” After eight hours of surgery, the doctors had some troubling news for Sofia’s parents. The thermal mattress Sofia was resting on developed a steam leak, burning her legs and right foot. Sofia was in a coma, had third- and fourth-degree burns on both legs and her right heel, and was still struggling with her initial abdominal injuries.
Suyapa shared how overwhelming those early days were, with Sofia in and out of surgery both to manage her abdominal injuries and treat her burns. After a few weeks, clinicians at the hospital told the family Sofia would likely need to have her legs amputated. The hospital contacted a plastic surgeon affiliated with the Ruth Paz Foundation, who in turn reached out to Shriners Children’s Boston. Chief of Staff Robert L. Sheridan, M.D., reviewed Sofia’s record and informed the family that Sofia would benefit from specialized burn care.
“God and Shriners Children’s Boston saved my daughter’s life by preventing amputation of her legs and successfully reconstructing her abdomen,” Suyapa said.
Sofia now comes to Shriners Children’s Boston from Honduras about once a year for follow-up care. Her care team, led by Daniel Driscoll, M.D., is managing her burn scars with laser treatments and skin grafts. Sofia also participates in regular occupational and physical therapy.
Sofia and Suyapa are grateful for the care team at Shriners Children’s Boston. Suyapa describes David Lawlor, M.D., as “one of our heroes – he successfully repaired her intestine, and Sofia began eating again after a long wait of five months.”
She also had this to say about Dr. Sheridan: “He will remain in our memories forever. Dr. Sheridan's smile alone was enough for me to know that everything was alright; he prevented the amputation of Sofia's right foot despite its severity.”
The family has built some cherished memories during their time in Boston. Sofia has enjoyed many Team Brave outings, including a recent afternoon at the New England Aquarium. Team Brave is the Shriners Children’s Boston community reintegration program, in collaboration with the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation (BFFBF). Patients participate in field trips led by child life specialist Rebecca Wildes, MS, CCLS, and the BFFBF, enjoying activities like bowling, rock climbing and cooking classes.
There's no doubt that Shriners Children’s changes lives.
Sofia and Suyapa enjoy reconnecting with members of Sofia’s care team, including staff who were involved with the acute phase of her burn injuries, when they are back in Boston. “While recovering from her recent procedures, we had the great pleasure of meeting again with most of the nurses who lovingly cared for Sofia in 2014. They were so happy to see how a little girl of only 4 years old, who had been admitted to a delicate state of health, was now grown and healthy at 16. There's no doubt that Shriners Children’s saves and changes lives,” Suyapa said.
Now that the acute phase of Sofia’s care is behind her, Suyapa offers guidance for other families. “Do your best to maintain a positive mental attitude. Ask questions, take photos to track progress, and understand how each treatment and each medication is contributing to the healing process. At the beginning, everything can look bad. But the photographs remind us afterwards how far our children have come,” she said.
Suyapa also encouraged parents and guardians not to dwell on what she calls the “What if.” “I believe everything happens for a reason, and that reason helps us grow in some way. Don’t dwell on what if because what if doesn’t exist; all of that is in the past; just focus on the now," Suyapa said.
Sofia has a message for other children managing an acute injury: "It gets better. Today it might hurt, it itches, it burns, you feel your skin pulling, you feel sad, you wonder why did this happen to me? But the body is incredible at healing. If you look at the Shriners Children’s logo, you will see a person carrying a child in their arms; that is a symbol of brotherhood and fraternity," Sofia said. "Celebrate every step, no matter how small, because that is important progress in your full recovery. Then you will be an inspiration to many children in similar situations. Thanks to Shriners Children’s Boston, thanks to your care, I can eat, drink and walk again. Scars show how brave we have been, so be proud. Thank you.”
