Church brings Nicaraguan boy to Oklahoma for surgery

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A Nicaraguan boy is due in surgery Wednesday after a Duncan church brought the child and his mother to Oklahoma. <br><br>Doctors at Mercy Health Center will donate their surgery

Wednesday, September 18th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A Nicaraguan boy is due in surgery Wednesday after a Duncan church brought the child and his mother to Oklahoma.

Doctors at Mercy Health Center will donate their surgery on Jason Alexander Riveras Betancourt who suffers from the malady commonly called water on the brain.

``I've never seen a child with such advanced congenital hydrocephalus,'' said Doctor Michael Hahn. He said Jason's head is three times its normal size.

Jason and his mother, Yadira Betancourt, arrived Sunday in Oklahoma City after arrangements were made by the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ in Duncan. Church members met Jason during a medical mission trip.

Jason's mother had to quit her job at a textile factory for the trip. Jason's twin brother, who was not born with any medical problems, is in Nicaragua with his grandmother.

The surgery is expected to take an hour. Surgeons will put a shunt in Jason's brain to allow fluid to drain. The child will stay in Oklahoma City for at least three months for observation.

Doctor Kent King of Marlow, who led the mission trip, said Jason will have a good chance at a normal life.

``We started these trips to spread the Gospel and help people who are the poorest in the world,'' King said. ``And once you start, you just can't stop.''

Also in Oklahoma is Anamarcos Sandoval Saravia, 2, of Nicaragua. Her surgery this week at Childrens Hospital at the OU Medical Center will correct a cavity in her abdomen that causes bladder problems.