An Heartrending Tale: 11-Month-Old Afflicted by Enormous Cone-Shaped Growth on Their Head

THE URGENT PLEA TO SAVE 11-MONTH-OLD WITH RARE CONDITION AND GROWTH ON HER HEAD

In a heart-wrenching appeal, the family of an 11-month-old baby girl is desperately seeking a surgeon to remove a large cone-shaped growth from her head. Little MK Cruz, born with a rare condition causing an abnormal accumulation of fluid within her brain’s cavities, now faces a dire situation that demands immediate medical intervention.

MK’s condition led to the underdevelopment of half of her skull, with a fluid-filled mass larger than her head forming externally. The growth has been rapidly expanding, now affecting her eyesight and overall well-being. Her father, Reynaldo Cruz, a tricycle driver from Manila, Philippines, shared the family’s distress as they struggle to find a solution.

The massive lump’s impact on MK’s eyesight has intensified the urgency of the situation. Despite financial constraints, the family is pooling their resources to cover the medical expenses. However, the recommended reconstructive surgery comes with high risks, and locating a willing surgeon to perform the procedure has proven challenging.

Reynaldo, 32, expressed, “The doctor is optimistic that once the growth is removed from her head, her eyesight may recover. But it’s a very risky operation, and local doctors have advised against performing both procedures simultaneously. Without these surgeries, we fear for our daughter’s future.”

MK, set to celebrate her first birthday this month, requires a two-step procedure. Initially, a shunt will be inserted into her brain to drain the excess fluid and redirect it elsewhere in her body. Subsequently, she’ll need another operation to repair her skull. However, finding a suitable doctor for the complex second procedure remains a challenge, prompting the family to wait for a specialist from the United States.

Reynaldo emphasized, “We’re uncertain if a surgeon will come here to perform the operation. Without the skull repair surgery, she will be left permanently disfigured.”

Hydrocephalus, the buildup of brain fluid, is the root cause of MK’s condition. This excess fluid exerts pressure on the brain, potentially leading to severe damage. Symptoms range from headaches and nausea to blurred vision and difficulty walking.

While the brain continually produces cerebrospinal fluid, any disruption in its drainage and absorption process can result in rapid fluid accumulation, imposing pressure on the brain. Hydrocephalus predominantly affects infants and older individuals and can manifest at birth, post-birth, or during later stages of life.

Babies born with this condition require immediate surgery to prevent lasting disabilities. Successful treatment often involves placing a drainage tube in the head to alleviate fluid buildup.

MK’s mother, Cathleen Keith Chavoso, 18, expressed gratitude for the community’s support through donations, but stressed that their main goal now is to raise funds for the impending surgery, which is estimated to cost several thousand dollars. Cathleen asserted, “Our daughter can be saved. There are doctors who can help. We won’t stop fighting for her.”

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