Three people in a room, a girl in the center smiles with her eyes closed while an older woman and another woman kiss her on the cheeks. — Tiziana, together with her mother and her grandmother, on a television program in Córdoba | La Derecha Diario

Camara — Tiziana, together with her mother and her grandmother, on a television program in Córdoba | La Derecha Diario

A teenager from La Calera will undergo surgery for a congenital heart disease

The young woman suffers from Shone's syndrome and will undergo surgery again in August in Córdoba Capital

20/06/2025 16:12:00h

Editorial Team

A family from La Calera is facing a complex situation in order to guarantee Tiziana's medical treatment. It turns out that the teenager was diagnosed with Shone syndrome at 17 days old. This cardiac condition can involve multiple congenital malformations on the left side of the heart.

"Living with this condition is quite hard for her because she's already a teenage girl, she knows there are things she can't do," explained Marisel Andrada, Tiziana's mother. The family is divided between a tent and a small adjoining room, which complicates daily life. "She comes during the day to watch TV and when night falls and it gets chilly, she moves to the room next door," said Teresa Ávila, Tiziana's grandmother.

A girl and an older woman look at each other and hold hands at the entrance of an improvised dwelling made of tarps and wood, surrounded by old objects and a tree.

Tiziana with her grandmother at their home in La Calera | La Derecha Diario

Economic difficulties and suspension of trips for treatment

The most complex treatments are carried out in Buenos Aires, but the family can no longer travel due to lack of resources. "December 15, 2023 was the last time we were able to travel to Buenos Aires," Marisel stated.

"The day we traveled, we had to handle everything ourselves and it was very difficult for us. We slept for two days in a place we paid for and then the other days we had to sleep in the hospital," she added. Given this situation, they decided to have the next procedure in Córdoba: "Now I've decided to have her undergo surgery here. In August, she'll have surgery here again because it's extremely difficult for us."

Regarding the planned procedure, she detailed: "They have to change her prosthesis. She has one that's 6 centimeters (2.36 inches) and they're going to replace it with one that's 16 centimeters (6.30 inches) to see if she can go a little longer before another surgery."

Curly-haired girl looking to the side, with two smiling girls playing in the background on a narrow street

The most complex treatments are carried out in Buenos Aires, but the family can no longer travel due to a lack of resources | La Derecha Diario

Living conditions and unmet needs

Tiziana is experiencing the physical and emotional consequences of her condition. "There are moments when she says to me, 'Mom, why can they and I can't?'" Marisel expressed. She also mentioned that the young woman wishes to spend more time with friends, something the current space doesn't allow: "She suffers a lot, I see that she suffers a lot, she doesn't like it here because she says she's in a room alone and wants to bring her little friends and can't because it's not possible here, her siblings are here."

In addition, the loss of her cell phone made her recreational moments more difficult: she dreamed of making videos on TikTok. "I'd give my life for her not to have any more surgeries and not to be hospitalized anymore. I want to see her well," her mother added.

The teenager's grandmother also spoke about the conditions in which they live: "With Tizi it's a struggle, I love her. I have six grandchildren but Tizi is a weakness for me. My dream is for my grandchildren to have a home and if I have to leave, I want them to be well."

For those who wish to help the family, the number 3513414660 is available.

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