Boy returns home after successful heart surgery

These days the news is often filled with tragedy, but today we are pleased to bring you a story with a happy ending… And one instance in which the words “Gift of Life” could not be more appropriate. Jacqueline Woods reports.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
It is hard to imagine that the young boy you see walking and smiling is ten year old Neville Bermudez. Just two weeks ago he was fighting to stay alive after one of his heart valves collapsed. It was critical to get young Bermudez out of the country to undergo a delicate surgery. Today his prognosis is very good, although he will have to remain on medication for the rest of his life and take it easy for a while. But today he came home, much to the delight to his family and friends.

Neville Bermudez, Recovering Heart Patient
?I would like to thank everybody who helped me fi gone dah Florida to get the surgery.?

Jacqueline Woods
?How are you feeling??

Neville Bermudez Sr., Father
?I?m fine, okay.?

Jacqueline Woods
?It must have been pretty nervous from the time he left Belize??

Neville Bermudez Sr., Father
?I wasn?t, I couldn?t… I don?t know what to say right now.?

Jacqueline Woods
?So how did you guys keep in contact and what kind of information were you receiving from Tampa??

Neville Bermudez Sr.
?I stayed on the phone everyday, I called my wife everyday to find out exactly what was happening.?

Elizabeth Dominquez, who was overcome with emotion, says she started feeling good about her son?s prognosis the day after he did the surgery.

Elizabeth Dominquez, Mother
?Because then in the evening after he woke up I could see he was doing much better than before…that?s when I started feeling comfortable. Right now he is doing well. The doctor said he does not expect no problem in the future, he is recovering really well.?

Jacqueline Woods
?What you cannot wait to do when you get back home??

Neville Bermudez
?Everything.?

Jacqueline Woods
?Because I heard you were pretty active??

Neville Bermudez
?All right.?

Jacqueline Woods
?So tell me you will a lot of play ball with your friends??

Neville Bermudez
?They say I can?t play ball until two months.?

Elizabeth Dominquez
?The surgery has still not yet healed properly, so he has to take all the rest that he needs. In six weeks time he can go back to his sports.?

Jacqueline Woods
?Will he need to stay on medication??

Elizabeth Dominquez
?Yes he does, he will need to stay on medication.?

Jacqueline Woods
?You know a lot of people here in Belize have been praying for you guys. Would you like to tell them anything at this time??

Elizabeth Dominquez
?I would like to say thanks to everybody. I don?t know the majority of them. I would like to say a big thank you and may God continue to bless you all. I so appreciate the help that they gave to my child.?

It?s good to have you home, Neville. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.

On October twelfth Neville underwent surgery at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The family would like to thank Neville’s surgeons, doctors Paul Chai and James Quintesenza, and everyone at Rotary Club’s “Gift of Life” programme.