Team Sophia :)
Donation protected
Little Miss Sophia is the sweet 6 year old daughter of Amber Swanson and Andrew Morales. Sophia is a big ball of energy, full of life, and is adventures . A few weeks ago, she was experiencing some trouble with left foot/ankle weakness. She completed a physical therapy consultation and was referred back to her doctor for an MRI. The doctor was concerned about a possible stroke.
On Tuesday April 10th, Sophia along with her families by her side, went to the St. Cloud hospital where she was sedated to have the MRI scan done. During the scan, the Doctor found a very alarming spot on the back side of her brain, and also a very large sac along her spine. The Doctor confirmed that what he was looking at was a rare condition called Chiari Malformation I. Chiari malformation (kee-AH-ree mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation is uncommon. Chiari malformation type I develops as the skull and brain are growing. As a result, signs and symptoms often may not occur until late childhood or adulthood.
She was also found to have a very large syrinx resulting in Syringomyelia. Some people with Chiari malformation also develop a condition called syringomyelia, in which a cavity or cyst (syrinx) forms within the spinal column. The syrinx Sophia currently has runs the entire length of her spine. The doctor called down to the Neurosurgeon at Children’s Hospital and set up an appointment for the Swanson/Morales families for the next steps for Sophia. At this time they found out that this was something Sophia was born with.
Sweet Sophia will be having brain and spinal surgery on 4/26/18, and she could be in the hospital for up to 10 days after surgery. The Swanson/Morales families will be by Sophia’s side all the way, which means that they will be out of work for some time, and any money that is raised will help go towards any uncovered medical expenses and other expenses that will occur during this time and future follow up appointments. Please pray for Sophia, and the Swanson/Morales families as they continue on this journey to get Sophia better!
On Tuesday April 10th, Sophia along with her families by her side, went to the St. Cloud hospital where she was sedated to have the MRI scan done. During the scan, the Doctor found a very alarming spot on the back side of her brain, and also a very large sac along her spine. The Doctor confirmed that what he was looking at was a rare condition called Chiari Malformation I. Chiari malformation (kee-AH-ree mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation is uncommon. Chiari malformation type I develops as the skull and brain are growing. As a result, signs and symptoms often may not occur until late childhood or adulthood.
She was also found to have a very large syrinx resulting in Syringomyelia. Some people with Chiari malformation also develop a condition called syringomyelia, in which a cavity or cyst (syrinx) forms within the spinal column. The syrinx Sophia currently has runs the entire length of her spine. The doctor called down to the Neurosurgeon at Children’s Hospital and set up an appointment for the Swanson/Morales families for the next steps for Sophia. At this time they found out that this was something Sophia was born with.
Sweet Sophia will be having brain and spinal surgery on 4/26/18, and she could be in the hospital for up to 10 days after surgery. The Swanson/Morales families will be by Sophia’s side all the way, which means that they will be out of work for some time, and any money that is raised will help go towards any uncovered medical expenses and other expenses that will occur during this time and future follow up appointments. Please pray for Sophia, and the Swanson/Morales families as they continue on this journey to get Sophia better!
Fundraising team: Sophia's Warriors (4)
Christina M Villanueva
Organizer
Litchfield, MN
Amber Swanson
Beneficiary
Andrew Morales
Team member
Troy Wimmer
Team member