In January 2013, our healthy, 4-year-old daughter began having seizures. She was brought to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite via helicopter. We spent the next week there for tests, MRIs and the search to find a medicine to stop the seizures. We also met with several different doctors who played very important roles in her recovery.
We found out that Gracie had a brain tumor.
The surgeon, Dr. Chern, came to talk to us and said he was confident he could go in and remove the tumor. We made the decision to let our daughter have surgery to remove the tumor in hopes the seizures would stop and she would go on to live a normal, healthy life.
She had her surgery on Feb. 26, 2014. It was a six-and-a-half-hour surgery. We were not sure what the outcome would be. Was the tumor cancerous? Would she still have leg function? Would she have developmental issues?Then Dr. Chern came out and told us that she was already wiggling her legs—a good sign because of where her tumor was located. We found out a few weeks later the tumor was not cancerous, and they had removed all of it.
Gracie is about to finish up Pre-K this year, and she is doing great! She is a funny, caring, feisty and beautiful miracle. There are no words that can describe how grateful we are for Dr. Chern, the other doctors, nurses and staff at CHOA.
We have a miracle child living with us, and we are forever grateful for the care she received.