Local baby recovering well from heart surgery

A 9-month-old Yuma baby continues to thrive as he recovers from major heart surgery in Phoenix. The mother of Angel Parra happily reports that her son, who was born with several heart defects, is eating better, gaining weight and giving grown-ups around him hope that a bright future may be in store after all.

"Angel's story truly is amazing," said mother Robin Parra, calling the baby's progress a miracle from God. "This is a baby that should not be here, should not have made it through. It's only because of people's prayers that he is still here."

Robin Parra explained that Angel was born with DiGeorge syndrome, a genetic chromosomal disorder that affects the body's immunity, often leads to cranial-facial deformities and often damages the heart. So far, the syndrome has only affected the baby's heart, which bears a hole and improperly formed arteries.

"Doctors say it's something that happens only in six out of every 100 births," the mother said.

Angel came home to Yuma on July 14 after surgery on June 20 at St. Joseph's Children's Health Center. His first surgery, however, took place back in January.

"Surgery is going to be a lifestyle for him, as I understand," Robin Parra said. "By his first birthday, he'll have his next surgery."

The son of Carlos and Robin Parra was born Nov. 6 at St. Joseph's, where several months earlier doctors had predicted his heart problems through ultrasound.

Other than when he was born, Angel has been hospitalized five times during his short life.

Robin Parra said that even before the birth, she was warned that her son had only a 50-50 percent chance of living.

"We have come close to losing him, too," she said, saying that Angel nearly died when his body reacted poorly to dye used in a heart exam.

The mother said that doctors are hesitant to predict what kind of future Angel might expect. She stressed that doctors have not even told her for sure that her son will in fact survive his early years.

"I'm just hoping the surgeries will keep him alive. Every day, I close my eyes and picture him at 2 or 3 years old, all healthy with curly hair and blue eyes. So we're working forward on that and I'm fighting for him."

The mother stressed that she wants to share Angel's story with Yuma because she wants to give hope and inspiration to other families with special-needs children.

"I want other parents to know that we have all been told by doctors to give up hope, when things actually turned out well. I just want to give other parents out there hope."