Damir Ortiz's Inspiring Recovery: A Mother's Update on His Journey in the U.S.

Damir Ortiz, a young Cuban boy urgently brought to the United States after a misdiagnosis in Cuba, is showing signs of recovery at Miami's Nicklaus Children's Hospital. His mother, Eliannis Ramírez, shared updates about his progress during a live broadcast, expressing relief at the improvements in her son's health, while cautioning that his recovery will be a lengthy journey.

During a Facebook Live session, Ramírez, alongside activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia—a key figure in securing the humanitarian visa and Damir's transfer—reported that Damir is responding well to treatment and is now stable. "He's fighting and getting better," the mother remarked, noting that doctors have successfully managed his inflammation and maintained stable vital signs.

Ramírez explained that Damir has started receiving Nutren Junior, a nutritional formula administered every six hours, with his dosage gradually increasing to 64 milliliters. Moreover, he no longer has a fever, and his body has stabilized its production of white blood cells and platelets, which were critically low in Cuba: "They are no longer at the critical levels of 2, 3, or 5 that would not rise above 10."

Another positive development is that Damir hasn't required new transfusions of red blood cells or platelets, which were previously essential for his survival: "His hemoglobin remains over 8, and he was only transfused on the first day." The mother also highlighted that Damir is more alert and aware, signaling cognitive and emotional improvement. She shared a recent conversation where Damir immediately reacted upon hearing his mother mention giving some of his toys to his brother in Cuba: "I thought he was asleep, but when I mentioned the toy cars, he shook his head in disagreement," she recounted with a laugh.

However, Ramírez explained that Damir still faces a significant challenge in his recovery, as doctors identified the presence of hospital-acquired bacteria, specifically Klebsiella and Enterobacter cloacae, affecting his body. Medical experts informed her that these bacteria are typically found in hospital environments with poor hygiene conditions and can be contracted through improperly sterilized medical instruments.

Despite these obstacles, Ramírez assured that Damir is receiving the appropriate antibiotics to fight the infection and that his progress remains positive. She praised the level of medical care in Miami, emphasizing that she has constant access to detailed information about Damir's condition: "Here, they show you everything. There's no need to wait hours for results. Everything is documented, and the doctors and nurses provide their phone numbers for any questions."

In the broadcast, both Ramírez and Salcedo Verdecia expressed gratitude for the community's support and emphasized the importance of the assistance that has been provided for Damir's treatment. Ramírez also announced plans to open an online store and work as a Medicaid consultant in the U.S. to generate income while caring for her son in the hospital. "I'll start selling my products and working from the hospital while taking care of my children," she explained, seeking support in sharing her initiative.

As the broadcast concluded, Damir's mother urged everyone to continue praying for her son and reiterated her hope for his ongoing recovery. "Despite his delicate condition, he has improved and continues to improve. He is a fighter and will overcome this," she concluded.

In a poignant statement on Tuesday, Ramírez admitted that the Cuban regime had given up on her son. "They abandoned Damir; they considered him a lost cause. It all stems from the same flawed system and government," she asserted.

Similarly, activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia condemned the chemotherapy treatment administered in Cuba, stating that not only was it incorrect, but it also significantly worsened Damir's health. In a Facebook post, Salcedo harshly criticized the medical decision, stating, "My heart was never wrong" and that she had repeatedly warned that the treatment was unsuitable.

A pivotal moment in Damir's new chapter occurred last Sunday when the family was informed that the 10-year-old does not have leukemia, as previously diagnosed by the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana in February. His mother confirmed that new tests ruled out the diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma entirely.

"Damir, negative for Burkitt's lymphoma diagnosis, it's confirmed, he doesn't have that type of leukemia. We continue, because where there's a will, there's a way, and hope remains intact. Thank you, God, soon my son will have a true diagnosis and quality treatment," Ramírez expressed on Facebook.