Brave like Bella

Hi Everyone, for those of you that know me. Know that this was hard for me to do, because I am very private about my life. Especially, when it comes to Isabella’s special conditions. But I decided to give this a try because I honestly really need the help. On April 3rd 2008, my life changed completely when Bella was born. What I thought would have been a day filled with joy, really turned out to being a moment of shock and despair. Isabella was diagnosed at birth with a rare chromosomal abnormality and no doctor or specialist knew how Bella’s life would truly turn out as she got older. At the tender age of 3 she was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. As she has gotten older she has also been diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome, Anxiety and ADHD. It has been a tough and long journey for me mentally, physically and financially. I have resigned from amazing opportunities, and have also given up on social gatherings and can honestly say that I have felt depressed at times. But I continue to remain positive, after all she is my little Pandora’s box. Although no doctor has ever given me a clear picture as to why bella throws the tantrums she does or how will she continue to develop as she matures. This episode of what many may think in defiant behavior from a child that “looks normal”, just wasn’t! 

On Saturday, October 6, 2018, Bella was rushed to the emergency room at Cape Coral Hospital with abdominal pain and constant throwing up. She was then rushed to the Golisano Childrens Hospital in Fort Myers, FL. After an X-Ray, Lab work, and still no answers a CT determined that Bella had appendicitis. Immediately, she was admitted and started antibiotics; doctors were not sure if it ruptured. On Sunday, October 7th what we thought was just a 45min -1hr procedure for the removal of her appendix turned out to be 3 hours long. Bella had chronic malrotation, basically 2 internal hernias repaired which affected her pancreas and caused her appendix to swell. I will include a picture for a better understanding. We have been admitted for 6 days now and there really isn’t any telling when Bella will be discharged. She cannot drink or eat anything and is currently on a suction machine. 

For those that know me, know that we live and I work in Miami. We were visiting my parents in Cape Coral, FL for the weekend when this happened. So this stay has not been cheap, and financially has been difficult since I am not working and don’t know how Bella’s healing will be. Doctors have said that this will be a very slow recovery and will forever has GI issues. Any little bit helps !! 


Thank you for reading our story !