Ariana and the Sanchez Family

To our community, friends, and everyone who takes a moment to read this—

Our family is sharing a story with humanity, faith, and hope as we ask for financial support during one of the most difficult times in our lives. As some of you know, my sister, Ariana, recently underwent a very important and life changing brain surgery. We would like to share our story with you.

Four years ago, when Ariana was 6 years old, she began to have seizures while on a family trip. After a long-awaited appointment at UCSF, we were told by epilepsy specialists that Ariana had focal epilepsy. The doctors explained that it was common in childhood and would likely resolve after two years on medication. Ariana was started on one epilepsy medication and for a couple of months her seizures were well managed. After one of her MRI’s, Ariana’s doctor stated that Ariana had a healthy brain and there was nothing else to worry about. During that time, our family was at peace and we made sure to enjoy every second together.

We prayed every day that Ariana would be cured of her epilepsy and that she could live a seizure free life. However, after 8 months, Ariana began to have abnormal and emergency seizures. Ariana was rushed to the emergency room several times to St.Helena Adventist Hospital, Napa’s Queen of the Valley and finally transported to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Emergency Room. We spent many weeks in the hospital at UCSF where Ariana underwent various tests as doctors struggled to find a diagnosis.

On our third consecutive visit to Benioff, Ariana underwent a new MRI. What was supposed to be a one-night stay, turned into a three-week hospitalization. After the doctors examined the new MRI results, Ariana was diagnosed with a rare and severe form of epilepsy. She was immediately started on two emergency treatments for her seizures.

As the years passed, Ariana’s seizures continued to be unmanageable. Ariana was on 8-9 epilepsy medications and continuing to have seizures daily. This interfered with her ability to engage in school, sports and everyday life. Her ability to make and keep friendships was severely impacted--for a 9-year-old little girl, this broke our hearts. Our family has endured immense anxiety, fearing for Ariana’s safety daily, and not knowing when the next seizure occur.

From the beginning of this journey, the doctors have been clear that there is only one neurosurgery that could save Ariana. However, both our medical team and our family was reluctant in making this choice as we understood it would come with immense risk and changes to Ariana’s life.

Ariana’s epilepsy specialists suggested one initial surgery to see if the seizures could be stopped, however we could not be guaranteed it would work. She had this initial brain surgery in 2023. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful in stopping the seizures. After getting a second opinion from Stanford, we concluded that Ariana would need a second and (hopefully) final surgery.

Before I continue, I would like to take a moment to describe Ariana. Ariana has always been the strongest person we know. Before the second surgery, Ariana loved to explore and spend time with her family. Ariana was also extremely caring and was always praying for all of the kids who were in a similar situation as her. She had and still has an “I can do anything” mentality and is fiercely motivated. Ariana is the light in our life.

This year, Ariana and our family have taken on the challenge of the second brain surgery. While this choice was difficult to make, we have put our faith in God and understand that was the best choice for my sister’s life. She had this surgery on October 21st with the hope of a seizure-free life. The surgery was 20+ hours long and has come with many changes. Our neurosurgeon explained that without this surgery, Ariana’s seizures and quality of life would continue worsening.

While Ariana is recovering well, her recovery will be extremely long and difficult and take many years. Ariana continues to be in the hospital and we do not currently have a foreseen date when she will be discharged. Ariana’s original hospital stay was estimated to be 6 weeks, however, that changed to months. There are still many unknowns. As we ask questions about Ariana’s recovery, the doctors remind us that only two people can answer those questions. God and Ariana. However, there is one answer we do have already, Ariana is a miracle and every day she gets to be with us is a blessing.

While Ariana’s medical and surgical costs were thankfully covered, our family will need help paying for their daily costs of living such as gas, groceries, rent, insurance, and specialized adaptive medical equipment (which insurance doesn’t cover) to allow Ariana to navigate her daily life. Once Ariana’s seizures began, my mom, Olga, dedicated herself to caring for Ariana. My dad, Gaudy, who does landscaping, has been unable to work as he stays with Ariana and my mom to help in the hospital. My sister, Evelyn, is a fulltime student at Sacramento State and has been commuting to UCSF on weekends to help my parents. Both my parents have been staying in Ariana’s room at UCSF since the surgery as Ariana is unable to speak and requires attention and support which will continue for a significant but undetermined amount of time once Ariana is released from the hospital.

My family is foreseeing many upcoming appointments after they leave the hospital. Ariana will continue to need various types of therapies to help her recover. Ariana needs occupational, physical and speech therapy to help her relearn how to walk, talk and be able to resume her life with hopefully some independence. She will continue to require a special IV treatment once a month which will entail a full-day at a treatment facility.

If you are unable donate, we thank you for taking the time to read our story, and we would appreciate you sharing Ariana’s story. She is our miracle and we hope that her story will help other children and families who suffer from epilepsy or any other illness.

Additionally, we continue to ask for prayers for Ariana, for our family, and for our friends that have been supporting us during this time. We have found strength and hope thanks to everyone who has prayed for us.

We are extremely grateful to a dedicated team of surgeons, doctors, nurses and therapists who have given Ariana a chance at a better quality of life. Thank you for your time.

Jeni Sanchez