Victoria6


Victoria

Christine and Michael didn’t think they had too much to worry about when their nine year old Daughter, Victoria was prescribed medication for strep throat in February 2007. After all, Victoria was a healthy, happy little girl just like any other. However, once her medication for the strep was finished and she seemed to have recovered, other symptoms arose. She was now experiencing vomiting and no desire to eat. Over the next several months, Victoria went through several tests for stomach issues.

The Doctors could not seem to find the problem. Over the summer months, Victoria’s symptoms seemed to ease and her Mother felt she would be well enough to return to school in September. In October Victoria’s symptoms (not eating, constant vomiting, etc.) returned. She was having difficulty with her vision and her writing was suffering. By the end of October, Victoria suffered a seizure. Christine and Michael made the decision to remove Victoria from school because they were not getting any answers from the Doctors as to how they could help their Daughter, nor could they say exactly what was wrong with her still. Not having a Family Physician was not making it any easier for them to get the answers they needed. On Christmas Day, Victoria collapsed and blacked out. Victoria’s parents were finally able to find a Doctor who would accept her as a patient and see her January 2, 2008.

The Doctor ordered a CAT scan and MRI which were performed on January 3rd and showed that Victoria had a tumour around her optic nerve. That same day, surgery was performed to insert a shunt so that excess fluids that were building up could be drained. Another surgery on January 5th was performed to remove the 6 x 4 x 2 cm tumour. On the road to recovery, Victoria was released from Bloorview on April 25th. She will continue to need occupational and physiotherapy as well as some tutoring as she is still a little behind in her studies.