Since Alyssa Kovacic was first diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, the two-year-old 91原创 girl has undergone chemotherapy and so many Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans that her mother, Angela Lebolo Kovacic, has lost count.
鈥淪he has to be sedated [before an MRI],鈥� Mom shared.
Less than a year ago, Alyssa developed pain in one eye.
Doctors discovered she had two rapidly growing brain tumors, one in her right optic nerve and another one in her hypothalamus (a part of the brain that has a vital role in controlling many bodily functions and behaviours).
She was diagnosed with , a genetic disorder that causes painful tumors to develop in the nervous system, brain and spinal cord.
Alyssa underwent chemotherapy, but it couldn鈥檛 save the vision in her eye.
Now, Alyssa is facing surgery that will remove her blind eye and will require her to be fitted for a prosthetic.
Doctors have warned Alyssa鈥檚 family that she could lose sight in her other eye, as well.
The operation has been scheduled for April 3.
鈥淲e鈥檙e dreading it,鈥� Angela told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Because of the tumour pressing on her hypothalamus, Alyssa has developed Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder, and 鈥渟ometimes gets upset鈥� her mother explained.
She is usually in good spirits, but even a minor change can create 鈥減anic and fear鈥� for Alyssa, Mom described.
Friends set up an online Gofundme campaign 鈥溾�� which has so far raised $8,577 towards a $30,000 goal.
READ ALSO: GoFundMe drive set up for young 91原创 hit-and-run victim
It will help pay for the prosthetic eye, which will need to be replaced every three to five years, and other costs that are not covered by ordinary health insurance, such as income lost because Angela had to quit working full-time to look after Alyssa.
READ ALSO: B.C. cities top the list for most generous in Canada on GoFundMe
There is no cure, the online campaign notes.
It goes on to say that Alyssa 鈥渋s a determined little girl that proves daily that she has the strength, resilience and power to overcome this barrier [but] her condition remains unpredictable.鈥�
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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