Mardi's long road to recovery

Mardi Barnard’s long road to recovery

 

Mardi was born prematurely, at 27 weeks and as one of two identical twins, after they were diagnosed with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (a condition where blood flows unequally between twins that share a placenta). A septal deviation of her nose occurred during this early developmental stage and it was recommended by a surgeon to be corrected after she turns 16.

 

On March 24th, 2021, Mardi underwent a septoplasty to correct the deviation of the septum in her nose. Unfortunately, a complication of this procedure left Mardi blind in her right eye. This was the result of a bone fracture of the eye socket that led to swelling behind her eye, severe damage to her optic nerve, optic nerve atrophy and permanent blindness of the eye. Another complication of the procedure was a cerebrospinal fluid (csf) leak that was diagnosed on May 5th when she acutely developed severe headaches and noticed fluid leaking from her nose. She underwent an urgent procedure to stop the csf leak on May 6th.

 

This procedure was successful in stopping the csf leak, however, a complication of this surgery led to a brain abscess that was incidentally detected after a CT of her brain and spine was performed to locate a second csf leak, which in turn was caused by a spinal drain that was placed during the procedure to stop the initial csf leak on May 6th. On May 17th, Mardi underwent a brain biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of a brain abscess. She subsequently spent 58 days in a pediatric ICU receiving antibiotics intravenously. During this time Mardi was also diagnosed with PTSD and delirium and started suffering from chronic incapacitating headaches.

 

On November 7th, she was once again admitted to the hospital after experiencing acute paralyses from her severe headaches. She was subsequently transferred, by ambulance, on Nov 17th to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco. She underwent two procedures to stop the CSF leak in her lower back which were fortunately successful. However, as a result of these procedures, the low pressure in her skull from the csf leak, has now turned into high pressure which in turn left her with the same severe intractable headaches. As of now, Mardi remains in the hospital for further treatment and therapy in the hope of easing her chronic pain and suffering.

 

We are respectfully asking your financial support for the massive medical bills that are accummulating as we all hope and pray for Mardi's recovery and some degree of normalcy for this beautiful and once vibrant 17yo girl.