Keeping up with Amanda: Life after brain surgery

In most ways, Amanda LePage is just like any other rambunctious fourth grader. She loves school, dance class, playing basketball and keeping up with her twin sister Macy and older brother Nathan. Sometimes it just takes her a little longer to do these everyday things. That’s because Amanda has been through a lot in her short nine years. Amanda was just 5 months old when she was brought by helicopter to Boston Children’s Hospital for a hemorrhage in her brain from an intracranial aneurysm, a type of vascular malformation. Despite long odds, Amanda survived two life-saving brain surgeries and a massive stroke that left her with cognitive delays, no use of her left arm or hand, and weakness in her left leg. In the years since, Amanda has been back to Boston Children’s for a host of other medical problems, including a second brain aneurysm hemorrhage and hydrocephalus, or extra fluid in the brain. Her mom, Amy, keeps a running list that’s two pages long. Throughout Amanda’s journey, neurosurgeon Dr. Edward Smith has been by her side. Smith performed Amanda’s first life-saving surgeries, and has cared for her since that time, watching her closely with follow-up visits. Amanda, right, and her sister Macy with Dr. Smith “Not only did he save her life, but he was also prepared for the possibility of her stroke and discovered her second aneurysm and the hydrocephalus,” says Amy. “He’s always there when we need him.” A surprising new diagnosis It was during a rou...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Our Patients’ Stories brain aneurysm Dr. Caroline Robson Dr. Craig McClain Dr. Edward Smith Dr. Peter Manley Hydrocephalus low-grade glioma pediatric stroke Source Type: news