In a remarkable medical case, a newborn baby named Ramona is alive today due to pioneering interventions at Banner’s Fetal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona. Her parents, Yulianna Cleto and Michael Flores, express immense gratitude for their daughter’s survival after she underwent life-saving surgery while still in her mother’s womb. “I really do sit here every day and thank God that she’s here because I prayed for her,” Cleto shared, highlighting the emotional journey they have experienced.
Flores refers to Ramona as their miracle, stating, “It’s hard not to cry when I think about it.” Their journey took a daunting turn during a routine checkup at 21 weeks of pregnancy, when a 3D sonogram revealed a large mass on Ramona’s chest, compressing her heart and leading to heart failure. Dr. Kenneth Liechty, a pediatric and fetal surgeon, explained the urgency of the situation, stating, “The majority of the kids that we’re operating on are babies that if we didn’t intervene would die.”
Pioneering Fetal Surgery in Arizona
Before Dr. Liechty‘s arrival in Tucson three years ago, families facing similar diagnoses had to travel out of state for fetal surgeries, with the nearest centers located in Denver or Los Angeles. “We have the only fetal care center in the state that does the full range of fetal interventions,” he noted. This groundbreaking facility has allowed families like Cleto and Flores to receive critical care without the added stress of relocation.
At just one month old, Ramona has already undergone a second surgery and is scheduled for a third. Her family regards her as a fighter, with her name honoring her grandmother, whose rosary is placed beside her crib. “He’s a miracle worker,” Cleto said, expressing her admiration for Dr. Liechty. “He’s blessed by God.”
Dr. Liechty remains optimistic about Ramona’s future, promising to monitor her development over the next year to ensure she meets her milestones. “We’re not just doing something later in life that prolongs life a little bit,” he emphasized. “We’re saving actually a whole lifetime by doing this early on.”
The emotional weight of this journey is palpable for the family, whose initial joy of expecting their first child was shattered by the daunting news from medical professionals. Cleto recalled the moment they met Dr. Liechty, admitting that the terminology used was overwhelming, but the urgency was unmistakable. “You meet this guy for the first time and he’s saying all of these big words that you don’t quite understand, but you just know it’s scary,” Flores said.
The success of Ramona’s surgeries not only reflects the advanced capabilities of Banner’s Fetal Care Center but also underscores the importance of early intervention in fetal health. For families facing similar challenges, the center represents a beacon of hope, transforming what was once a dire prognosis into a story of survival and resilience.
