Dear Family and friends,
Hi! It's been a year since I asked for donations for Marybelle's TSC Fundraising Walkathon. Marybelle is now on her Junior year at Hogan High School Special Ed Class.
Since then, there were a lot of changes in her condition. After her surgery last 2007, seizures are less frequent but stronger. It was a battle for her to get the right combination of medications to prevent seizures. Last July 17, the neurologist gave us three 3 options to decide. 1st option, another epileptic surgery to remove the tubers in her brain seen in her recent MRI which is not guaranteed seizure-free. I definitely don’t want to pursue this option due to the experience we have last 2007. 2nd option is to implant a VNS ( Vagus Nerve System like a pacemaker ) to her chest and an electrode in her neck. A representative explains the procedure, side effects and show sample of the device. It was really helpful for us and made us easy to decide what options to go through. 3rd option is changing her other medication which we started 2 weeks ago and sadly to say no changes. Every time she has stronger seizures and couldn't control it, we feel helpless deep in our hearts and just pray to our Lord to give her and us more strength to cope up with this situation. Presently, she is taking 3 medications and if it doesn't work in a month, we will go to the 2nd option to implant a VNS. Let's hope and pray that this device work and hopefully seizure-free with less or no medication at all.
This is the 4th year Marybelle will be walking for all your donations for the benefit of TSC Clinic at Children's Hospital Oakland to be able to keep it open. We need this knowledgeable, experienced neurologist and nurse who knows about Tuberous Sclerosis which most affects kid at younger age.
You may forward this website and information to your friends and family if you like. Donate here online, or to mail in a donation, make checks payable to CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OAKLAND & note "TSC CLINIC FUNDRAISER" in memo. Please mail to me by September 14, 2009. Thank you for all your prayers and endless support. God Bless Us.
Manny, Belle and Marybelle Ocampo
864 South Regatta Dr.
Vallejo, CA 94591
