Transforming Moments

Jessica’s Story

Walking to Recovery

Eight-year-old Jessica was enjoying Superbowl XL with family and friends when she began complaining of a headache and lost consciousness. A resident of a small town about 30 minutes north of the North Carolina border, Jessica was flown to Virginia Commonwealth University Health System where she underwent emergency surgery for a cerebral or brain aneurysm. Doctors gave her 72 hours to live.

That was a year ago.

Following her surgery, Jessica had a stroke and underwent additional surgery to remove the right side of her brain. After spending two months at VCU Health System in a medically-induced coma and two more months at Children’s Hospital, Jessica was released to Children’s Hospital’s outpatient program where she continues to receive weekly physical, occupational and speech therapy treatments and is followed by a team of pediatric specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Caused by a weakness in the wall of an artery or vein within the brain, a brain aneurysm is an abnormal widening of that artery or vein. Although doctors do not always know what causes brain aneurysms, they can be caused by blood vessel malformations, infection or trauma or associated with family history. They are very rare in children. And while many people unknowingly have aneurysms, when they rupture, blood can spill into the brain, increasing pressure inside the skull and depriving the brain of oxygen.

The Weekly Commute

Jessica’s mom, Shannon, began making the weekly three-hour roundtrip commute to Richmond for Jessica’s therapies in June 2006. When Jessica began her treatments, Shannon described her “like a newborn baby with no coordination.” She had poor eyesight, could barely speak above a whisper and couldn’t roll, sit, walk, dress herself or handle any of the other daily living skills. Doctors also feared that Jessica would never regain use of her left side.

As part of Jessica’s medical team, Sandy Timok, PT, PCS, began working with Jessica on mobility issues including rolling, sitting, standing and walking. By September, Jessica had learned to walk with a walker and assistance from her family. She’s now focusing on walking only with her walker so she can walk without adult assistance into a party to celebrate her recovery.

“Jessica fought hard to stay with us,” recalled Shannon. “My goal is that by this time next year, she’s running.”

While Jessica’s not quite ready for the track, Sandy credits Jessica’s progress to the daily work Shannon does at home. Jessica has a gait trainer to practice walking without adult assistance and a therapeutic bicycle to build strength.

“Having her family so involved in her therapy has really helped,” said Sandy, who tries to incorporate Jessica and her family’s goals into her treatment plan. “If they are their goals, [the patient and family] are more apt to work with you.”

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