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Surgery a miracle for 2-year-old child
Hillary Wundrow
Daily News staff writer
Baby Evelyn Zagal has recovered from surgery and has been released from the hospital.
The 2-year-old endured a lifesaving surgery on Aug. 19 to remove a huge growth on her neck. If unchecked, the lymphatic malformation could have kept growing, obstructing the toddler's airway.
After doctors at the Arkansas Children's Hospital finished the 14-hour surgery, Evelyn's parents Carlos and Teresa Zagal of Rockford were shocked.
"We didn't expect them to be able to remove as much as they did, you can totally see her neck. She didn't have a neck before," Teresa Zagal said.
Dr. James Suen, an Arkansas doctor featured on the Discovery Channel for his work on lymphatic malformations, was able to remove almost 90 percent of the mass.
Filled with veins and nerves along the child's face and neck, the mass was extremely dangerous to cut into. Although Evelyn had undergone four surgeries, other doctors hadn't been able to remove as much of the growth.
"From the get-go it was very hopeful with them. They were very willing and sincere with wanting to help us," Teresa Zagal said.
Doctors burned the remaining growth and injected an antibiotic which will scar the tissue and contain it.
Being in unfamiliar surroundings has been challenging for the young child.
Born a fighter, the little girl wrestled with the nurses during her first few days at the hospital.
After the operation, the little tot was a little puzzled by the missing mass, looking for it with her hand.
"I think she's a little thrown off by not having it be there and replaced with pain. It seemed the first few days she was upset with us, blaming us for putting her through it," Teresa Zagal said. "Once she gets home and her regular nurses come in and she's in her room, I think she will do a lot better."
Doctors released Evelyn last Wednesday. She is staying in a motel room with her parents and 3-year-old brother, Alex, until the family leaves for Rockford today.
With two drain tubes in her neck, Evelyn will keep her medical appointments at the hospital through the end of the week.
Despite the child's discomfort, Evelyn is doing better already.
"Her balance has improved. She sits up a lot straighter than before," Teresa Zagal said.
Although she can't walk or talk or eat, Evelyn can sit up by herself and has been learning sign language. Once Evelyn gets physical therapy, she should be able to crawl and then walk.
Evelyn's brother is already excited.
"He hopes they can run around. He told me I have to buy her a bike because she doesn't have one," Teresa Zagal said.
Teresa Zagal said she's excited to get the child a new wardrobe when the Evelyn returns to Rockford.
"We used to buy things that were really big around the neck, would stretch or we would buy things that button in the back," Teresa Zagal said.
One year after some doctors said Evelyn wouldn't survive, it appears the child has experienced a miracle.
"We've got a lot of thoughts and prayers from a lot of people," Teresa Zagal said. "It's always nice to know that people truly care."
Donations for the Evelyn Zagal Fund can be made to any U.S. Bank by calling 1-800-872-2657. The main fund is at U.S. Bank, 1121 E. Geneva St., Delavan, WI 53515.
A fund has also been set up at AMCORE Bank. For more information call AMCORE in South Beloit at (815)389-3451.
Daily News staff writer
Baby Evelyn Zagal has recovered from surgery and has been released from the hospital.
The 2-year-old endured a lifesaving surgery on Aug. 19 to remove a huge growth on her neck. If unchecked, the lymphatic malformation could have kept growing, obstructing the toddler's airway.
After doctors at the Arkansas Children's Hospital finished the 14-hour surgery, Evelyn's parents Carlos and Teresa Zagal of Rockford were shocked.
"We didn't expect them to be able to remove as much as they did, you can totally see her neck. She didn't have a neck before," Teresa Zagal said.
Dr. James Suen, an Arkansas doctor featured on the Discovery Channel for his work on lymphatic malformations, was able to remove almost 90 percent of the mass.
Filled with veins and nerves along the child's face and neck, the mass was extremely dangerous to cut into. Although Evelyn had undergone four surgeries, other doctors hadn't been able to remove as much of the growth.
"From the get-go it was very hopeful with them. They were very willing and sincere with wanting to help us," Teresa Zagal said.
Doctors burned the remaining growth and injected an antibiotic which will scar the tissue and contain it.
Being in unfamiliar surroundings has been challenging for the young child.
Born a fighter, the little girl wrestled with the nurses during her first few days at the hospital.
After the operation, the little tot was a little puzzled by the missing mass, looking for it with her hand.
"I think she's a little thrown off by not having it be there and replaced with pain. It seemed the first few days she was upset with us, blaming us for putting her through it," Teresa Zagal said. "Once she gets home and her regular nurses come in and she's in her room, I think she will do a lot better."
Doctors released Evelyn last Wednesday. She is staying in a motel room with her parents and 3-year-old brother, Alex, until the family leaves for Rockford today.
With two drain tubes in her neck, Evelyn will keep her medical appointments at the hospital through the end of the week.
Despite the child's discomfort, Evelyn is doing better already.
"Her balance has improved. She sits up a lot straighter than before," Teresa Zagal said.
Although she can't walk or talk or eat, Evelyn can sit up by herself and has been learning sign language. Once Evelyn gets physical therapy, she should be able to crawl and then walk.
Evelyn's brother is already excited.
"He hopes they can run around. He told me I have to buy her a bike because she doesn't have one," Teresa Zagal said.
Teresa Zagal said she's excited to get the child a new wardrobe when the Evelyn returns to Rockford.
"We used to buy things that were really big around the neck, would stretch or we would buy things that button in the back," Teresa Zagal said.
One year after some doctors said Evelyn wouldn't survive, it appears the child has experienced a miracle.
"We've got a lot of thoughts and prayers from a lot of people," Teresa Zagal said. "It's always nice to know that people truly care."
Donations for the Evelyn Zagal Fund can be made to any U.S. Bank by calling 1-800-872-2657. The main fund is at U.S. Bank, 1121 E. Geneva St., Delavan, WI 53515.
A fund has also been set up at AMCORE Bank. For more information call AMCORE in South Beloit at (815)389-3451.
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