Medical Bills and Tragic Loss of 1 Day Old Newborn

Zenalyne Esperanza Leal was born on June 3rd, 2024 at 11:04 pm, the doctors immediately noted she had no pulse and worked quickly to revive her; that would be the first time Zenalyne died.

The doctors explained to her parents that Zena had a heart condition and would need urgent transport to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. The mother, Jenifer, had to stay behind and wait to be discharged due to complications from childbirth, while Zena was rushed by helicopter to the hospital. Her father, Vicente, and a few relatives rushed to join her.

At the hospital, they performed a blood transfusion because her little body had not produced enough blood for the heart surgery that she needed. Finally stabilized, the doctors performed the heart surgery, while her father and family waited for any indication that she would pull through.

After the surgery, which succeeded in unclogging her miniature heart, the doctors came with more bad news. Zena’s digestive organs were severely atrophied, her lungs and heart had stopped working by themselves and even more critically she had bleeding in several areas of her brain. Her tiny body was connected to several machines that worked artificially as her lungs and heart to keep oxygen and blood flowing through her. She could not move due to the heavy sedation placed on her.

At this point, any photos that were taken of that precious girl would include red, white and black wires, patches connected to probes on her head and machines pumping blood and oxygen through her intubated nose and mouth; a nightmare to even imagine and something no parent should ever have to lay eyes on.

When Jenifer finally arrived by her daughter’s side, the doctors explained Zena’s situation and their professional diagnosis. The desperate whales of pain sent waves of emotions through every ear within shouting distance. Nothing more could be done for baby Zena; all hope had been extinguished. As a final courtesy, the hospital graciously offered to baptize and take imprints of Zena’s hands and feet for keepsakes.

Zenalyne Esperanza Leal left this world on June 4, 2024 at 10:06pm. Every minute that Zenalyne graced us with was a battle strongly fought and although we knew her for less than 24 hours, her memory will be with us for a lifetime.

Her parents are left with broken hearts filled with sadness and a lifetime worth of sorrow awaits them. Zenalyne’s older brother is almost two years old and although he does not understand life or death, he will one day learn her story and have a hole in his heart as we all do now.

We ask for any help to get Zenalyne’s story out and if possible any help with the medical bills and funeral costs that accompanies such a tragic loss.