Rileys Story - Diagnosis CHIARI

Riley turned 16 last January, and for the rest of the year saw his balance worsen to the point, that by December 2018 he could not take a step without steadying himself to avoid falling, this accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other symptoms. Feeling all these things while still doing well with his studies at Banting highschool, peer tutoring, watching hockey with his family and helping out at home and with his younger brother. Local doctors had no explanation. So When most of us were getting ready to ring in the new year, on Dec 31/18, Riley was being rushed to SICK KIDS HOSPITAL in Toronto and about to be diagnosed with Chiari Malformation.Chiari Malformation is a condition where the brain is being pushed down onto the base of the skull. The treatment for this is a decompression surgery. In this surgery, the goal is to open up the skull and the lining that surrounds the brain and create more space for the brain to sit in the scull SICK KIDS does 2 of these surgeries every week.So after many CT, MRI scans and X-rays Riley was prepped for surgery the following Monday, he came out of it as expected and was returned to his room. By the next day at 3am the alarm went through the hospital, Riley had a code blue. Something no parent should have to witness their child go through...Thanks to the quick actions of the neurology staff at SICK KIDS Riley was revived and was intubated and fully reliant on ventilation and unable to move his body. A parents worst nightmare. After a tense 48hrs Riley was rushed into another brain surgery Thursday afternoon, doctors determined to stop Riley’s conditions from worsening. They removed his herniated cerebellar tonsils the largest they had ever seen, they had been restricting the flow of spinal fluid. Another 48 hrs later we started to see Riley breathe slightly along with the ventilator and his limbs movements improve along his right side. Slowly but surely every day, Riley is fighting to gain back his strength determined to go home.Riley and his family have a long road to recovery. More tests, equipment and physiotherapy ahead of them. The Neurosurgeons at Sick Kids are confident that because of his strength and determination to be healthier again that Rileys journey can have a happy outcome.But we need your help. 100% of the amount raised will go to Rileys care and the expenses that don’t disappear just because your entire life has to be redirected to caring for your child. While Riley’s parents support him through this trying time. Please help us support their whole family, If you cannot donate, please share so other may see Riley’s story and help anyway they can. Please keep Riley and his family in your prayers.2018 #CHIARI WARRIOR 2019 #CHIARI SURVIVOR