Pua's Life Changes
Donation protected
When Pua was 6, the first signs of trouble began. She sometimes stumbled while walking and one winter day, she slipped on some ice and fell. We chalked it up to being a growing kid.
When the pain began, so did the endless doctor visits trying to find out what was going on. Xrays and scans revealed nothing. We were constanly told to keep giving her Tylenol which didn't help. Her pain quickly increased to the point where you could not touch her. To do so made her scream. Can you imagine not being able to comfort your baby because her pain was so intense that her screams and cries tore your heart out?
We finally were able to get into Shriners Hospital who ordered the MRI which found the schwanoma (rare tumor) that was in her spine. Thankfully, the tumor is benign. Unfortunately, the tumor had also wrapped around the nerves in her spine. While doing the first biopsy, they were able to relieve her pain, by the second surgery, done by Seattle Childrens Dr. Lee and Dr.Broward, they were able to remove 70% of the tumor and left her permanantly in a wheelchair.
She is now 13 and a teenager. Her independence is important at this age. She wants to be a vet one day. Anything that is raised would be used to make the accomodations needed in order for her to be an independent teenager and start to achieve her goals.
Anything that will help her in her life's changes would be a blessing. No child should have to live a life that is challenged. In a perfect world, all our children would be healthy and happy.
We are Bonnie and Shannon and we thank all of you for taking the time to get to know our Pua.
When the pain began, so did the endless doctor visits trying to find out what was going on. Xrays and scans revealed nothing. We were constanly told to keep giving her Tylenol which didn't help. Her pain quickly increased to the point where you could not touch her. To do so made her scream. Can you imagine not being able to comfort your baby because her pain was so intense that her screams and cries tore your heart out?
We finally were able to get into Shriners Hospital who ordered the MRI which found the schwanoma (rare tumor) that was in her spine. Thankfully, the tumor is benign. Unfortunately, the tumor had also wrapped around the nerves in her spine. While doing the first biopsy, they were able to relieve her pain, by the second surgery, done by Seattle Childrens Dr. Lee and Dr.Broward, they were able to remove 70% of the tumor and left her permanantly in a wheelchair.
She is now 13 and a teenager. Her independence is important at this age. She wants to be a vet one day. Anything that is raised would be used to make the accomodations needed in order for her to be an independent teenager and start to achieve her goals.
Anything that will help her in her life's changes would be a blessing. No child should have to live a life that is challenged. In a perfect world, all our children would be healthy and happy.
We are Bonnie and Shannon and we thank all of you for taking the time to get to know our Pua.
Organizer
Shannon Bonnie Pua Caffee
Organizer
Kahului, HI
