Esme Meegan Neurosurgery

Hello. My name is Brandon Buell. Two of my best friends, Sara Antonio and David Meegan are currently enduring a sitution that calls for this community to come together and lend a helping hand. Sara, David and I met roughly eight years ago and became the best of friends. Once they began their family, I adopted the roll of "Uncle Bran". From their first daughter, Isla (6 years old) to their second, Esme (4 years old) and now their latest baby boy, Tadhg (10 months old). They continue to make me feel apart of their beautiful family and that is one of the many special qualities that these amazing people have. Their continued kindness, care and generosity to those around them set them apart from most people. Especially while facing such difficult times.

Their story starts when their second child, Esme, experienced her first breakthrough seizure in March 2020, where she was taken from their home by ambulance. There was an overnight stay for observation where trauma was ruled out and an MRI and EEG tests were ordered. Following, Esme was diagnosed with Focal Cortical Dysplasia (FCD) shortly thereafter. Focal Cortical Dysplasia is a congenital brain abnormality that occurs during development in utero. Esme went nearly a year and a half without any seizures and any medical intervention until October 2021, where she had her second breakthrough seizure. From that point onward, Esme has formally been diagnosed with epilepsy, with nine additional breakthrough seizures and several medication adjustments. In addition to the FCD, there is a glioneuronal tumor that will continue to increase the frequency and possibly severity of Esmes seizures, potentially effecting her socially and cognitively. From March 10th to 19th 2022, Esme was admitted inpatient at Golisano Children’s Hospital for an EEG study to help gather more information regarding the localized portions of her brain being affected during her seizures. Since that time in March, they have been anxiously waiting for this next step to proceed. It took the team of doctors nearly two months for the approval of Esme’s neurosurgery by the Board. Esme’s neurosurgical operation is taking place at Strong Hospital in Rochester, NY on July 21st, 2022. To be as transparent as possible without the medical expertise, the two Neurosurgeons and medical care providers will be performing a craniotomy. Essentially it is a lobotomy of the glioneuronal tumor in Esme’s left parietal lobe. The chance of success is very high. Success in this context means full extraction of the entire lesion (including the marginal affected locations) to stop Esme’s drug resistant and life-threatening seizures. In addition, a biopsy will be performed of the mass to identify and classify. This will be a 10- 14+ day stay at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Esme will be operated on, stabilized, and recovering inpatient until released. David and Sara will be the only two staying with Esme during this time interchangeably as per the regulations of the hospital during this pandemic. As far as recovery, that fully depends on Esme. In addition, even following the procedure and the stay at the hospital, Esme will have an indefinite amount of time recovering in their home. It could be a few weeks or a few months. Nobody can give those answers at this time. It is also expected that Esme will need therapy of some sort, whether it be PT, OT, speech, etc. but nothing will solidify until that point in time.

With this extremly stressful upcoming neurosurgery for their four year old daughter approaching, now is the time that we need to come together to help these amazing people in any way possible. The funds collected will go directly to Sara and David to assist them in paying medical bills, child care, meals for their family and any other bills that dont just halt during times like these. They will be in and out of the hospital and out of work for a decent duration of time. Please consider donating to this amazing family. Anything will make a difference and help alleviate the stress they are currently facing. The Antonio-Meegan family express their upmost gratitude to all of those who choose to donate. Thank you!