The first Mother's Day at home, after almost a year with her son in the ICU.

Born with heart defects, 11-month-old Dorian was discharged after treatment in the municipal healthcare system. Photo: Edu Kapps / SMS

Mother's Day this year will have a special meaning for Jaquelini Calandrino, 31. A mother of three, the Rio de Janeiro native will be able to enjoy the day at home with her family after spending 310 days with her youngest son in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Dorian, now 11 months old, was born with congenital heart disease and has already undergone three heart surgeries, with treatments performed at the Maria Amélia Buarque de Hollanda Maternity Hospital (HMMABH) and the Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital, both part of the same hospital complex in the city center.

Diagnosed with pulmonary atresia and tricuspid atresia at 21 days old, Dorian turns 1 year old on June 3rd after a long period of hospitalization and multidisciplinary treatment by teams from both units. Jaquelini is also the mother of Maria Júlia, 7, and Peter, 6. With Dorian's discharge, she doesn't hide her relief and happiness in celebrating Mother's Day in the company of all her children and in the comfort of her own home.

“I used to spend six days a week here because I didn’t want to be away from him. I only went back home to get clean clothes. From now on, it’s back to normal life, as much as possible. We will continue with the heart and lung medications, which will be for the rest of his life. We know that when Dorian gets older, he won’t have a busy routine, nor will he be able to play sports. But even so, it will be a life of quality and a life that is fair to live,” says his mother.

Jaquelini, a doula for four years, comments on the bond she created with the unit and the team that accompanied her during the 44 weeks she was in the hospital with Dorian.

"Maria Amélia is the best maternity hospital in Rio de Janeiro; the ICU here saved my son's life. I dare say it's the best in Brazil. Anyone who comes here to give birth can come with the security and certainty that they will be well cared for. It's a place I will love forever. During my time as a doula, I always spoke highly of the unit, and I chose to come here when it was my turn to give birth," she says.

Ana Murai, technical director of HMMABH, highlights the joy of seeing the young patient return to his siblings and recalls the daily challenges faced by the baby during his months in the ICU.

– Dorian's stay at HMMABH was challenging for him, his mother, and the team. As healthcare professionals, we already knew that surgeries and many difficult moments were coming. It's a pathology of enormous complexity. There were times when we thought he wouldn't make it, but he overcame all obstacles. And Jaquelini was always a positive mother. All of this encouraged us – recalls the doctor.

The gynecologist and obstetrician says that the doctors expected Dorian to spend not only Mother's Day in the hospital, but also his first birthday.

"This is the best Mother's Day gift for Jaquelini, and for me too. We take care of her, nurture her, and do our best. We don't always win, but today, with Dorian's discharge from the hospital, we won," Ana concludes.