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Anyone who knows Zaylei knows she is a kind-hearted girl. Zay would do anything she could to help out another person.
Zaylei is the leader of the Kindness Club at Sunset View Elementary as well as a member of the Hope Squad.
Zay is a brilliant and a very active 11 year old girl. She loves underwater robotics club, softball, hiking, kickball, and jump rope club. While in jump rope club, Zaylei was helping to spread awareness of heart health. The team jumped on average 5 miles 3 times a week.
Hoping to bring awareness to heart health such as the importance of cardio and diabetes awareness. Zaylei used this as a platform to speak of her kindness and hope squad clubs. Speaking at jump rope recitals on topics such as depression, bullying, self esteem and how others could use exercise to take care of their mental health and well as their physical health.
An Unexpected Challenge
Little did any of us know that jump rope could be the one thing hurting her and could become a thing of the past for Zaylei. Only one year after her becoming so deeply involved with such a good cause, Zaylei was diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Hypokyphosis Scoliosis. On June 28th we learned Zaylei has a 43 degree curve in her spine that will only get worse as she grows.
Gravity is quickly becoming her enemy and threatening to cause pain, discomfort, and possible breathing and heart problems as well as limiting her ability to do many of the activities she loves.
Since then we have spoken with her pediatric doctor who referred us to Dr. Smith at Primary Children's Hospital, an Orthopedic Surgeon. After speaking with him we learned her only option is to have a correcting surgery.
The Challenges of Growth
Zay is only 11 years old and still has a lot of growing to do, meaning this will only get worse as she grows. Although Dr.Smith is a great doctor they only option for surgery he has (or any doctor on the west coast) is a spinal fusion. This is where metal rods are fused down each side of the spine with screws to keep the spine in place. This is a major surgery that involves cutting through major back muscles and fusing the rods with the patients rib-bone to the spine. With a 6 month recovery time and the prognosis of her future level of activity and freedom from pain is uncertain and will most definitely be limited.
A New Hope for a Better Life
However there is a better option for Zaylei in Philadelphia. Doctors at Shriners Hospital for Children are on the cutting-edge of research in the field of Scoliosis and have been doing a scoliosis correction surgery for over a decade with great results. VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) is still a major surgery. This will require a huge shift in our daily lives for a while, but we feel in the long run it's the best choice for Zaylei and her future. VBT is a procedure going through the side of the body, sparing the back muscles and blood loss. Screws are placed in the vertebrae the same way as they would be for the rods however they are attached to a flexible tether saving the mobility and growth in young patients. This innovative approach will reduce the recovery time to just 6 weeks and help ensure a future life with less pain and issues in movement. It’s her best chance at the most normal life she can have.
After many hours of research, several phone consultations, and x-ray reports sent to Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia we have received the call that Zaylei is a candidate for VBT surgery. We feel so blessed to have caught this early and that this is an option for her.
Although it is hard to predict the total cost for things at this time, we do know this will be a financial struggle for our family.
Zaylei has her first consult with Dr. Samdani in Philadelphia on August 6th. Zaylei and I will be flying to the East Coast for the first time to meet the best surgeons in the country who can help with this issue.
After that she will most likely be referred for VBT surgery. She will have a week stay minimum in the hospital after her surgery, and then another week or two until she is cleared to fly home as part of the surgery requires deflating the lungs making flying more complicated afterwards. After her surgery we will need to go to Philadelphia one more time for a 6 month follow up to make sure everything is well. After all of this Zaylei will live a normal healthy, flexible, pain free life.
Help Zay Continue to Grow Strong in Body and Spirit
At this time we are asking for any help you can offer to cover the cost of travel for her appointments and surgery. Every little bit helps play a major role in this life changing procedure for Zaylei. You can always help by donating, keeping Zaylei in your prayers as she goes through this difficult time as a young girl, as well as sharing this with others. Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
Zaylei is a strong girl and will use this as an opportunity to inspire so many more.
Predicted Costs for Treatment
Stage 1:
Evaluation with Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia - Three trips total
to the East Coast: $ 5,000
Stage 2:
VBT Surgery to Correct Zay’s Spine- cost unknown right now.
At this early stage, we are hoping to cover costs associated with the travel and fees for diagnosis and evaluation of Zay’s viability for the innovative surgery on her back. Even small donations can make a big difference! Thank you for your support.
Zaylei is the leader of the Kindness Club at Sunset View Elementary as well as a member of the Hope Squad.
Zay is a brilliant and a very active 11 year old girl. She loves underwater robotics club, softball, hiking, kickball, and jump rope club. While in jump rope club, Zaylei was helping to spread awareness of heart health. The team jumped on average 5 miles 3 times a week.
Hoping to bring awareness to heart health such as the importance of cardio and diabetes awareness. Zaylei used this as a platform to speak of her kindness and hope squad clubs. Speaking at jump rope recitals on topics such as depression, bullying, self esteem and how others could use exercise to take care of their mental health and well as their physical health.
An Unexpected Challenge
Little did any of us know that jump rope could be the one thing hurting her and could become a thing of the past for Zaylei. Only one year after her becoming so deeply involved with such a good cause, Zaylei was diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Hypokyphosis Scoliosis. On June 28th we learned Zaylei has a 43 degree curve in her spine that will only get worse as she grows. Gravity is quickly becoming her enemy and threatening to cause pain, discomfort, and possible breathing and heart problems as well as limiting her ability to do many of the activities she loves.
Since then we have spoken with her pediatric doctor who referred us to Dr. Smith at Primary Children's Hospital, an Orthopedic Surgeon. After speaking with him we learned her only option is to have a correcting surgery.
The Challenges of Growth
Zay is only 11 years old and still has a lot of growing to do, meaning this will only get worse as she grows. Although Dr.Smith is a great doctor they only option for surgery he has (or any doctor on the west coast) is a spinal fusion. This is where metal rods are fused down each side of the spine with screws to keep the spine in place. This is a major surgery that involves cutting through major back muscles and fusing the rods with the patients rib-bone to the spine. With a 6 month recovery time and the prognosis of her future level of activity and freedom from pain is uncertain and will most definitely be limited.
A New Hope for a Better Life
However there is a better option for Zaylei in Philadelphia. Doctors at Shriners Hospital for Children are on the cutting-edge of research in the field of Scoliosis and have been doing a scoliosis correction surgery for over a decade with great results. VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) is still a major surgery. This will require a huge shift in our daily lives for a while, but we feel in the long run it's the best choice for Zaylei and her future. VBT is a procedure going through the side of the body, sparing the back muscles and blood loss. Screws are placed in the vertebrae the same way as they would be for the rods however they are attached to a flexible tether saving the mobility and growth in young patients. This innovative approach will reduce the recovery time to just 6 weeks and help ensure a future life with less pain and issues in movement. It’s her best chance at the most normal life she can have.
After many hours of research, several phone consultations, and x-ray reports sent to Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia we have received the call that Zaylei is a candidate for VBT surgery. We feel so blessed to have caught this early and that this is an option for her.
Although it is hard to predict the total cost for things at this time, we do know this will be a financial struggle for our family.
Zaylei has her first consult with Dr. Samdani in Philadelphia on August 6th. Zaylei and I will be flying to the East Coast for the first time to meet the best surgeons in the country who can help with this issue.
After that she will most likely be referred for VBT surgery. She will have a week stay minimum in the hospital after her surgery, and then another week or two until she is cleared to fly home as part of the surgery requires deflating the lungs making flying more complicated afterwards. After her surgery we will need to go to Philadelphia one more time for a 6 month follow up to make sure everything is well. After all of this Zaylei will live a normal healthy, flexible, pain free life.
Help Zay Continue to Grow Strong in Body and Spirit
At this time we are asking for any help you can offer to cover the cost of travel for her appointments and surgery. Every little bit helps play a major role in this life changing procedure for Zaylei. You can always help by donating, keeping Zaylei in your prayers as she goes through this difficult time as a young girl, as well as sharing this with others. Thank you for taking the time to read our story.
Zaylei is a strong girl and will use this as an opportunity to inspire so many more.
Predicted Costs for Treatment
Stage 1:
Evaluation with Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia - Three trips total
to the East Coast: $ 5,000
Stage 2:
VBT Surgery to Correct Zay’s Spine- cost unknown right now.
At this early stage, we are hoping to cover costs associated with the travel and fees for diagnosis and evaluation of Zay’s viability for the innovative surgery on her back. Even small donations can make a big difference! Thank you for your support.