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Nastya -
Update May 2007 |
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| What
a difference a year makes!
This time last year we were
so worried about the
pressure building behind
Nastya’s eyes. Her
breathing was bad and she
was always getting
respiratory infections. The
Great Ormond Street team
under Professor Hayward
undertook very thorough
examinations and did lots of
tests and recommended very
simple treatments to be
undertaken in Minsk - having
her tonsils and adenoids
removed and grommets to be
fitted in both ears. |
Welcome back to West Sussex. Nastya learns to master the intricacies of a donated scooter!
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Aliona
said she had to fight hard to get the
doctors in Minsk to agree because 'it
was not necessary to do these things in
Belarus'. 'It wasn't normal'. |
With Ms Michelle Wyatt,
Consultant Otolaryngologist
checking on ears, tonsils
and adenoids |
But Aliona (a petite size 6)
persisted.
She said 'Nastya needs me to
fight for her. I need to be
a strong woman'. And she
won them round. When they
investigated the adenoids
they removed them
immediately saying they were
the 'biggest they had ever
seen in a child of her
age'. Likewise she had to
struggle with the ears. She
thinks the Doctors in
Belarus will now take more
notice 'of my little girl' |
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Aliona's persistence paid off.
The Great Ormond Street team
were very pleased with Nastya's
progress. They assessed
everything as being better. The
pressure had reduced in her
brain, her breathing was
improved, her eyes less
protruding and her hearing
restored. The special
spectacles provided last year by
Worthing optician Nick Le Mare
has dealt with the acute
astigmatism and her sight has
now improved significantly. So
much so that another
prescription has been written
and Nick has again at very short
notice come up trumps with a
lovely new pair of specs - blue
this time to match her eyes! |
With
Mr Nischals Consultant
Opthalmologist from the GOSH
team |
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It is
far too soon to be optimistic and the
team will need to keep her under close
review. Cranial surgery will be
required in the future but the doctors
want to leave it as long as possible. |
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In the meantime, 12 months on,
it looks as if it might now be
possible to undertake surgery to
deal with the fused fingers and
misshapen thumbs. Nastya is
very self conscious about her
hands and feet and other
children are not always kind to
her. |
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This, of course, will be expensive so we
will need to continue to raise funds for
her. We have been so blessed with the
kindness and generosity of so many
people. When Aliona was asked what she
would like to say to her supporters she
said.
"I send thanks to all the people who
help Nastya because if there is no money
I cannot to help my daughter" "Nastya
is a happy little girl and it's
wonderful that she is now better than
last time" "I am happy to have so many
friends in this country and when she
grows up she will know how much
everyone in this country love her and do
for her" |
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With Prof Richard Hayward
at Great Ormond Street
Hospital |
Who’s for the 1st kick?
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With Mr David Dunaway
Consultant Cranio Facial
surgeon – a member of the
GOSH team |
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Thank you to the Northbrook
Concert Band for their support –
and a music lesson thrown in!
(Just one of
so many people and organisations
who have helped) |
Being
fitted for new specs supplied at
very short notice (24 hours!)
by Worthing optician Nick le
Mare |
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It is impossible to thank you all for
all your wonderful financial and
practical support. We have so many
people to thank – individuals, groups,
parishes, local businesses and many,
many more. We are deeply grateful to
you all. We could not have achieved
anything without you. Thank you so
very, very much |
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My lovely new specs! Please
continue to support me. |
Remember this picture?
At
6 months, abandoned and
behind bars.
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To make a donation on line just click
here:
http://www.justgiving.com/leavesofhopenastya |
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