3-year-old boy needs plastic surgery
Dennis de Leon is not your ordinary three-year-old boy. He looks different, he talks different and his life has been anything but normal. Dennis is the youngest of the five children of Myrna, a housewife and Carlos, a farmer who earns P80 a day. They live in a shanty at Barangay Bagong Sikat,
According to PGH doctors, Dennis was born with two diseases, a hydrocephalus and a meningocoele. These diseases have damaged his brain, spinal cord and part of his face.
Because of the deformities of his face, Dennis needs to undergo a reconstructive plastic surgery, which will cost P50,000. Because of poverty, Myrna approached Philippines STAR’s Operation Damayan to plead her son’s case.
First problem: Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus literally means “water in the head.” Our brain produces a fluid that is normally drained by the spinal cord. In children with hydrocephalus, this drainage is blocked, thus their skull and head swell up like a balloon.
Hydrocephalus affects one in every 500 babies born. The cause is unknown, although it is more common in premature babies. Untreated, hydrocephalus can cause convulsions and mental retardation.
To correct this abnormality, Dennis has undergone an emergency procedure, called VP shunting. Here, doctors inserted a plastic tube that drains excess fluid from the brain and channels it to his abdominal cavity. If treatment is done early, the amount of brain damage may be reduced.
Dennis is unlucky in that aside from the hydrocephalus, he has another medical problem called a meningocoele. At age three, Dennis still can’t walk or talk well. His left arm and leg are very weak and he needs regular physical therapy.
Second problem: Meningocoele
Aside from his large head, the deformity in Dennis’ nose is caused by another disease, called meningocoele. A meningocoele is a condition wherein there is incomplete development in the brain, spinal cord and the tissues surrounding these vital organs. In Dennis’ case, the spinal cord failed to close and is left dangerously exposed.
Doctors suspect that poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and folic acid supplementation, and genetic and environmental factors play a role in this disease. Treatment of meningocoele is mainly surgical.
A lot of physical therapy is required for these patients after surgery. Patients usually have difficulty walking, talking and urinating. Some require the use of crutches, braces, wheelchairs and bladder catheterization. Early educational support is also advised.
Plastic surgery
Despite the stark reality of Dennis’ condition, Myrna has never given up hope for her son. “I love my son. I don’t think he’s hopeless.” She has done everything to raise money for his medical expenses. Myrna would like to thank Rep. Joseph Violago, Mayor Alex Belena and Lucio Tan for helping Dennis in the past.
At The STAR office, we observe that Dennis eagerly jumps whenever he sees a piece of bread. Although Dennis can’t really communicate, he would make happy sounds a boy of three is expected to make.
Until now, Dennis can only say three words: mama, papa and kawawa (it’s a pity!). “Who told you about kawawa?” we asked Dennis. Then this child, despite his disfigurement, would give an unnerving and a most beautiful smile. With P50,000, Dennis can have a better future and a brand new face.
For those who would like to help Dennis, please contact Myrna de Leon at cellphone number 0928-536-6688. You may also donate through the STAR’s Operation Damayan at telephone number 527-7901.
(E-mail questions to [email protected])
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