Children from a primary school in Sancti Spíritus and their parents joined forces to save their teacher's life. The sixty-year-old educator had been battling a complex kidney disease for five years, yet he never missed a day of teaching, traveling daily from Cabaiguán to the main municipality.
Disney González Varela, mother of young Gabriela, shared her surprise when she first met Ramón Rodríguez Pérez, the fifth-grade teacher, last September. During the first meeting of the school year, he informed the parents of his 38 students that he had been using a percutaneous nephrostomy tube since 2019, which allowed urine to drain from his left kidney.
"When he showed the collection bag, everyone was speechless; no one imagined that the teacher, who had been dealing with such a severe health issue for almost five years, traveled from Nieves Morejón to teach without complaining. Naturally, our hearts went out to him," Disney told the Escambray weekly.
Disney decided to consult their neighbor, Dr. Javier Enrique García Cordero, a urologist, about Ramón's condition, unaware that her daughter Gabriela had already taken action.
"I sneaked out without telling my mom and dad and went to Dr. Javier's house. I said, 'Doctor, please operate on my teacher because he's very sick. He comes to class with a tube hanging from his back. Save him; he's very good,'" Gabriela recounted proudly.
Dr. Javier had already decided to take the case after speaking with the parents. "Gabriela almost made me cry," he admitted to them.
After evaluating the patient, a multidisciplinary team from the Urology Service at Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital performed three endoscopic surgeries on Ramón.
Though Ramón had undergone three previous surgeries with complications and sequelae, this time the team conducted a minimally invasive urological procedure. In the first surgery, they introduced an endoscopic instrument through the urethra to reach the obstruction site, fragmented the kidney stones, and placed a catheter to clear the narrowed duct. The second procedure removed all stone fragments and replaced the catheter to dilate the damaged ureter. The final surgery removed the catheter entirely.
"Ramón has shown satisfactory improvement. Follow-up studies reveal a completely normal kidney," the specialist confirmed.
During the entire process, the parents of the students provided unwavering support.
"We created a WhatsApp group to gather all the supplies needed for the surgeries, from sutures to syringes, gloves, and more. Some were purchased, while others were donated. We also made a daily updated list to ensure the teacher and his accompanying family member received breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We provided soap, toilet paper, toothpaste—everything necessary," explained Maidelys Lorenzo, mother of Isabela.
Ramón's recovery and return to the Serafín Sánchez Valdivia Primary School were celebrated with a grand party to welcome him back and to thank Dr. Javier and his team.
"Even while sick, I remained dedicated to my students; as we say, I'm relentless with the content. The most important thing is for them to learn well," the teacher emphasized.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Teacher's Health Journey
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the story of Ramón Rodríguez Pérez and the efforts to save his life.
What condition was the teacher suffering from?
Ramón Rodríguez Pérez had been battling a complex kidney disease requiring a percutaneous nephrostomy tube since 2019.
How did the parents and students help the teacher?
The parents and students gathered necessary medical supplies and ensured the teacher and his family received meals during his treatment. They also created a support network via a WhatsApp group.
What surgeries did the teacher undergo?
The teacher underwent three endoscopic surgeries to remove kidney stones and clear his ureter, involving minimally invasive procedures.