As Her Daughter Sat Crying In The Shower, This Mom Immediately Responded. She Had No Idea What Would Come Next
#1 Grace Yeats was a happy 10-year-old girl from New Zealand.
She loved to play sports and music, but two months after her 10th birthday, she came down with a sore throat, runny nose, headache and cough.
Doctors told her mother not to be concerned and sent her home.
However, the next morning Grace had a high fever and began to vomit. She was sitting down crying in the shower. She also had excruciating pain in both legs. Pain was unbearable that she couldn't even stand back up.
#2 Her whole life was turned on its end.
Grace was rushed to the hospital where she began to undergo testing. Grace's condition got worse and worse, but no one could have guessed that this was the last day Grace would be able to speak.
Grace received a spinal tap to numb the pain. Doctors took a sample of her spinal fluid to test.
After several days when Grace received a CT scan.
CT scan showed that she was suffering from Basal ganglia necrosis.
#3 Doctors described the condition like this:
The basal ganglia is located in the base of the brain and is responsible for coordination of movement. Her brain is being attacked and is slowly corroding. There was very little that could be done except to give the girl strong painkillers.
#4 She started to have spasms so severe they took control of her entire body.
Grace's body was ravaged by dystonia, extreme muscle spasms that have left her unable to sit, walk, or eat. In addition, though her cognitive abilities were left intact and she is still able to think and comprehend much like before, Grace was unable to speak.
#5 Grace has undergone a number of operations.
Miraculously though, four years later, after waking from surgery to replace a stomach pump that sends morphine through her body to control her painful spasms, Grace began to speak.
#6 She spoke again after waking from emergency surgery on her abdomen.
Her mother believes the breakthrough can be linked to when Grace started using a new cannabis-based treatment called Sativex. The medication helps her stay relaxed enough that she can form words and sentences.
#7 She is now 13.
Her condition has slightly improved but she still requires 24-hour care from her mother. It is uncertain whether Grace will ever be able to lead an independent life again. For now, the doctors are focusing on minimizing her pain and applaud small steps forward.
#8 Grace requires extensive care, operations, and expensive therapy.
Unfortunately, Grace's treatment costs $1,100 a month. Although much of Grace's treatment and special equipment has been paid for through donations, her family finds it very difficult to pay for the costly medication.
If Grace is able to stay on the Sativex, her family hopes she will be able to return home after 16 months in the hospital. They've set up a GiveALittle page to help fund their daughter's care.
