A Friend Named Dr. Alfredo

We met Dr. Alfredo Dominguez in the worst moment of our lives. I had just arrived in Mexico City after 10 hours of driving. Oliver’s emergency surgery was finished. All I was told was: “It went as well as possible. Oliver is stable, he is now in a coma. In a few hours you can see him.”

Those “few hours” turned into almost ten. Ten endless hours filled with fear and waiting in the hospital corridors. During this time, I met a wonderful German family who comforted me, helped, and offered me their friendship. Until today we are still connected – and in October they will visit us here in our new home.

Between Hope and Despair

Dr. Alfredo was the pediatric surgeon responsible for Oliver. In the first days, we didn’t know who we should turn to: the neurologists, the neurosurgeon? We heard many conflicting opinions. Three neurologists told us that Oliver would not leave the hospital alive. They even spoke with us about organ donation.

We spent an entire day in this despair – until a call came from Dr. Alfredo: “Please come to the ICU.”

We went, convinced that the moment had come to say goodbye to Oliver. He saw the grief on our faces – and said the opposite: “Oliver will not die. He has a chance.”

We couldn’t believe it. But Dr. Alfredo was the first who didn’t see death, but life. From that moment on, we decided that we would only listen to him and trust his plan.

A Plan for Oliver

He created a clear plan: medical, surgical, therapeutic. He prepared the next procedures – G-tube, tracheostomy, bladder catheter. He explained every step to us and performed the surgeries himself. Every day, he told us, Oliver was getting stronger. Every day, medication could be reduced.

He insisted that we as parents be trained: hand ventilation, suctioning secretions – things that at first felt impossible. Things that made us sick to our stomachs, that took our breath away. And yet they became part of our daily life. Today we are experts in our son’s care. Today we can guide nurses on what Oliver needs. We owe this to Dr. Alfredo.

Learning how to take care of Oliver

The Way Home – and Beyond

Dr. Alfredo knew that the greatest danger for Oliver in the hospital was an infection. His goal was to get Oliver home. For that, he set everything in motion: trainings, doctors, instructions. When Oliver was discharged, he set up a WhatsApp group so we could reach him at any time – and we did, day and night. Often, he asked us himself how Oliver was doing.

Not long after Oliver was discharged, he had to be admitted again to another hospital because of pneumonia. When Dr. Alfredo heard about this, he didn’t hesitate: he drove five hours from Mexico City to see Oliver personally and to coordinate with the doctors at the new hospital about his treatment. An incredible act that still amazes us today.

He was also the one who advised us to take Oliver to Chicago: “Here in Mexico we can only stabilize him. There you will have the chance to give him life. If there is any possibility - go!”

When Dr. Alfredo came to the hospital to see Oliver, I gave him my favorites team’s number 10 shirt – the playmaker’s number, and also the number Oliver got after his birth.

Gratitude Forever

We are still in contact until today. We are proud to call him our friend. Without his interventions in those first days, without his surgeries, without his tireless commitment, Oliver would not have had a chance.

Dr. Alfredo played a decisive role in the fact that Oliver is alive today. That he is doing so well. That we are still together as a family.

For that, we will be forever grateful.

Thank you Dr. Alfredo and your team!

Dr. Alfredo during one of his surgeries – a glimpse of the dedication that saved Oliver’s life. Photo shared with permission, source: Instagram @cirugiapediatrica.mexico