Victoria's Flock
Victoria Apker was born in 2016 with a known case of Hydrocephalus.Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain,the only current treatment option is brain surgery.At the same appointment,I was diagnosed with preeclampsia causing her to be born a month early.At only a week old Victoria had her first brain surgery,an Endoscopic Third Ventriclotomy(ETV).Having had a stroke in utero,the blood blocked the ETV requiring Victoria to undergo a second brain surgery.During this surgery they placed a VP shunt that would drain the excess fluid into her abdomen.During this surgery Victoria suffered a Grade 3 Intercranial Brain Hemmorage and required a blood transfusion.Victorias shunt lasted 7 glorious years.In the summer of 2023 she began having intermittent shunt failure symptoms.After a stay in the PICU at Geisinger and a visit with the new Nuerosurgeon,it was determined her shunt was not serving her well.She was a candidate for a repeat ETV.Her third brain surgery was done a week before Christmas.Victoria lived shunt free until this surgery failed her and she was again shunted during a 4th brain surgery in February 2024.She has shown us nothing short of not only a survivor,but of a true warrior over coming every obstacle thrown her way.She is the first student at Central Elementary with Hydrocephalus in a mainstream classroom.Victoria continues to become the best version of herself through the help of Speech therapy, Occupational therapy and Physical therapy which she receives weekly.A shunt and brain surgery should not be her only option! Many studies are on going,and with the help of your donation Victoria could see a life with NO MORE BS(BRAIN SURGERY)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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