This little girl has been handed a second chance at a normal life.
Family and friends were excited as six-year-old Cayley Habelgaarn went under the knife in a groundbreaking operation on Tuesday.
Doctors at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital performed a Brain Stimulation Operation (BSO) on the tiny meisie, a surgery never before performed on a near-drowning victim in South Africa.
During the 10-hour op, doctors drilled two holes into little Cayley’s scalp, placing electrodes in her brain.
The electrodes were then connected to a battery placed in her chest, which will stimulate parts of her brain, helping to control her involuntary movements.
Doctors have declared the op a success, but say it will take three months to see actual results.
Charnay Habelgaarn, 23, Cayley’s mom, says the Kuils River family was nervous going into the operation but are glad at this “amazing opportunity” for Cayley to lead a normal life.
“We are very relieved and happy that there were no complications as it was a very invasive surgery.
“Now we are keeping the faith and hoping that her recovery will be successful,” Charnay tells Daily Voice.
The family was left traumatised in December 2013, when Cayley was left brain damaged after almost drowning in their swimming pool.
The two-year-old was playing near the water, but her oupa, Leon Habelgaarn, found her lying at the bottom of the pool.
The family said Cayley’s brain was without oxygen for 40 minutes before doctors successfully resuscitated her.
Cayley spent most of 2014 at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre, where physiotherapists tried to help her walk again.
Last year, Cayley learnt how to sit up straight and eat on her own. She is also able to speak. However, due to the brain damage, she suffers from involuntary movements.
Charnay says: “I could see the improvement in my daughter. In previous years she needed maximum support, now she needs medium to maximum support.”
Dr Nico Enslin is the only paediatric and neurosurgeon able to perform a BSO in South Africa. Charnay says the family rallied for two years to raise the R210 000 needed for the operation.
Western Cape health department spokesperson, Darren Francis, hailed the delicate operation a success.
“The surgeon who operated on the patient is quite satisfied with the procedure... (on Wednesday) the team of surgeons have switched on the battery of the device and all signs are looking promising, but we will have to wait three more months to measure the success,” he says.
Cayley is expected to go home today, where she will recover for three weeks before continuing therapy.