Support Ziek and his family
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This is my great-nephew Ziek. He is 4 yrs. old and such a sweet little boy who has been diagnosed with Autism. In August Ziek had a small accident and went to the ER for stitches. He was given a cat scan to make sure there were no broken bones or concussions. The scan revealed a cyst on his brain. His parents were assured the cyst looked small and was probably nothing to worry about. They were referred to a neurosurgeon in Kalispell Montana, 4 hrs. from there home. There they learned it was not small but a large arachnoid cyst in an unusual location in his brain. They were given 2 options. Either a cyst fenestration where they poke holes in the cyst in hopes that his brain would absorb the fluid from the cyst or have a shunt put in to to act as a draining system. Because of Ziek being so young and the risk of infections, clogging or the shunt malfunctions the neurosurgeon recommended the fenestration. This surgery was performed early November, went well and Ziek was able to go home shortly after. About a week later his parents noticed a lump where his incision was. His mother made several calls to his doctor and sent pictures to her. A cat scan was eventually scheduled and it revealed the fluid was pooling up, not being absorbed as hoped. The next day little Ziek and his parents traveled back to Kalispell for a second surgery
less than 2 weeks from the 1st one to put in the shunt. The surgery went well and shortly after he was able to go home. Soon Ziek was back to being a happy little boy, playing with his 2 little sisters and communicating better than before surgery. There was a scab over the incision that a month after surgery fell off. This revealed that his skin had never healed over the valve of the shunt. There was a hole where the shunt could be seen and could have been touched. He was immediately taken to the neurosurgeon and they were told anytime a shunt is exposed to air they have to assume there is infection and must be treated accordingly. This meant a 3rd surgery. The next day Ziek and his parents traveled Kalispell for emergency surgery. So now Ziek is in the hospital with a tube inserted in his head draining the fluid and is being given antibiotics to treat and/or prevent infection. He will being having a 4th surgery in the next week or 2 to have new shunt put in. Although most medical bills are covered the family has travel expenses and his father has taken time off work to be with Ziek. I am asking that you help me help Ziek’s family so they can be with him during this difficult time.
less than 2 weeks from the 1st one to put in the shunt. The surgery went well and shortly after he was able to go home. Soon Ziek was back to being a happy little boy, playing with his 2 little sisters and communicating better than before surgery. There was a scab over the incision that a month after surgery fell off. This revealed that his skin had never healed over the valve of the shunt. There was a hole where the shunt could be seen and could have been touched. He was immediately taken to the neurosurgeon and they were told anytime a shunt is exposed to air they have to assume there is infection and must be treated accordingly. This meant a 3rd surgery. The next day Ziek and his parents traveled Kalispell for emergency surgery. So now Ziek is in the hospital with a tube inserted in his head draining the fluid and is being given antibiotics to treat and/or prevent infection. He will being having a 4th surgery in the next week or 2 to have new shunt put in. Although most medical bills are covered the family has travel expenses and his father has taken time off work to be with Ziek. I am asking that you help me help Ziek’s family so they can be with him during this difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Nina George Washburn
Organizer
Wildwood, FL
Bethany Spaulding
Beneficiary
