Title: Brave 6-Year-Old Girl Undergoes Life-Changing Surgery to Treat Rare Neurological Disease
In a groundbreaking medical procedure, a six-year-old girl named Brianna Bodley recently underwent a 10-hour surgery to treat a rare neurological disease called Rasmussen’s encephalitis. The surgery, known as hemispherotomy, involved disconnecting half of Brianna’s brain, all in the hopes of curing her debilitating condition.
Performed by the skilled hands of Dr. Aaron Robison at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, the surgery marked a significant milestone in Brianna’s medical journey. The young girl was diagnosed with epilepsy in August 2022 after experiencing troubling nighttime seizures that led to her hospitalization. However, further hospitalization in September revealed Rasmussen’s encephalitis as the root of her health struggles.
Rasmussen’s encephalitis is an exceedingly rare chronic inflammatory neurological disease that typically affects only one hemisphere of the brain. This condition causes frequent and severe seizures, inflammation of the brain, and gradual loss of essential neurological functions.
In light of Brianna’s diagnosis, her determined mother, Crystal Bodley, took to platforms such as GoFundMe to raise funds in support of her daughter’s medical journey. The community rallied behind the family, helping them garner the resources necessary for Brianna’s surgery.
The hemispherotomy procedure, which involves removing half of the brain’s cortex when seizures do not respond to medication, was deemed the best course of action for Brianna. Following the extensive surgery, Brianna was successfully transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and will now begin her rigorous rehabilitation journey. Rehabilitation aims to help her regain motor skills, speech, and mobility.
Crystal Bodley has been documenting Brianna’s courageous journey and remarkable recovery on an Instagram page, providing updates to those who have followed their story. The process of recovery for Brianna will require extensive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to ensure she reaches her fullest potential.
The successful completion of Brianna’s surgery offers hope to many families battling rare neurological diseases. The expertise and dedication displayed by medical professionals, coupled with the love and support of a community, have come together to create a powerful narrative.
As Brianna embarks on her journey towards a brighter future, her story serves as a beacon of strength and resilience, reminding us all of the power of hope and the unbreakable human spirit.
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