Nina's Story (Page 4)

Eight days layer it was determined that the ventricle walls were still not communicating properly to allow the cerebrospinal fluid to flow.  Nina had to have her sixth brain surgery in five weeks.  She needed a permanent shunt (Strata Shunt System for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus), on the left side of her brain, due to hydrocephalus (helping kids and adults gothrough life with a Shunt).  Immediately following surgery Nina’s CT scan revealed that the shunt was not placed properly and Nina would have to go for her seventh brain surgery.  She needed a shunt revision.  

Seeking Donations & Prayers Some of our needs are: Transportation Doctor office visit co-pays Medication co-pays Families portion of medical bills for hospital stay/ surgeries Food Clothing Travel expenses to and from Therapy Travel expenses to and from Orange County Travel lodging expenses to and from specialist in Minnesota Please be assured that the monies received will only be used for basic needs Donate Online!

The next week Nina continued to recuperate from her surgeries.  She was not doing as well as expected.  The neurosurgeon recommended that a second permanent shunt be placed on the right side of her brain.  My heart sank………….how could I possibly put my daughter through another brain surgery.  I consented to the eighth brain surgery. I felt I should give Nina every possible opportunity to recover.  The following day Nina woke open and was more responsive than she had been in weeks.  She was able to follow simple commands, move her fingers, toes and speak some.   

Two days later Nina transferred to a pediatric rehabilitation center.  She spent seven and a half weeks there. When Nina arrived at rehabilitation she was completely bedridden and had very little body movement. Nina was also suffering from short term memory loss.  She couldn’t even remember how to play the card game Go Fish or where she was, and she did not recognize some family members.    By the time she discharged, Nina walked out the door with the assistance of a walker and beat me at Go Fish regularly. My little girl is with out a doubt a miracle!

Nina has seen a host of medical specialists.  The treatment plan is unclear.  The tumor is still in her brain.  The blood clot has dissipated.  The tumor is located in the third ventricle near the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and wraps around the optic nerve.  The surgeons are fearful that Nina’s optic nerve will be damaged and will cause blindness.  Nina’s specialists are recommending that she see a professor of neurosurgery in Minnesota who specializes in tumor’s in this area of the brain. 

Our spirits remain high.  I will never give up. I will never allow Nina to give up.  Since Nina’s illness we have relocated to my sister’s home in Colton, CA. My sister was kind enough to clear her dining room out for us to have a room of our own. At this time, Nina still suffers from short term memory loss, diabetes insipidus, under active thyroid, some parafial vision loss, progesterone deficiency and two permanent shunts, all as a result of the tumor.  Her progress continues to be tremendous in spite of her condition.

Nina is the second of four children.  I have been at Nina’s bedside since the day she got sick.  Nina and I have been hit very hard financially by this crisis.  I am unable to work due to the fact that she needs constant one-on-one care.  My car was repossessed (voluntarily); I could not make the payments.  I make at least 1-4 trips to Orange County a week to see doctors (about 90 miles round trip). 

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