By Vanessa Camarillo, Abi’s Mom

Diagnosis

Our princess, Abi, was diagnosed with complex partial seizures at five years old. She was my baby, my little girl, my angel, who was suffering from something beyond our control. We couldn’t fix her pain or her difficult path ahead. We didn’t know what was going on, and we had so many questions.

Adapting

The day she was diagnosed, she was admitted to the ICU. She was having seizures every ten seconds. She couldn’t respond and we didn’t know what to do. She was in the ICU for a few days but was finally released with two medications and a strong attitude. I think she gets that from her mother.

We all had to learn to adapt to her new lifestyle, but no one more than Abi. She has never let her illness get the best of her and she has always been a strong fighter.

Another Option

After trying ten different medications in a little less than two years, the doctor decided she needed Vagus Nerve Stimulation, a device placed in her chest and attached to her nerve going to the brain. We were scared and worried about our six-year-old going through surgery. Would it work? Would it be worth it? She had already experienced three separate stays in ICU and had tried so many medications that weren’t stopping her seizures. We knew something had to be done. So, we decided to go ahead with the VNS.

Surgery

In 2011, we prepared for our six year old’s life-changing surgery. This was not something any parent wants for their child, but every parent wants to provide a better life. She went in smiling and telling all of us that she could do this, and she wasn’t scared because she had her angels with her. After a little more than an hour, her doctor came and said everything went great. She came home that same day sore but still with her usual big smile.

The seizures decreased and so did the medications. We never gave up hope, and she was always ready to face whatever came her way.

Abi Today

Today, Abi is thirteen years old, and she just got her VNS battery replaced. Even though she is still on medications, her seizures have decreased drastically. Abi now has maybe one seizure a year, if that. She doesn’t let her condition bring her down. She is a fighter! Abi has proven to us all that she is stronger than we could’ve imaged. She has a great heart, a great personality, and most importantly a GREAT spirit. Now, she is just a typical teenage girl enjoying her amazing life.

now has maybe one seizure a year, if that. She doesn’t let her condition bring her down. She is a fighter! Abi has proven to us all that she is stronger than we could’ve imaged. She has a great heart, a great personality, and most importantly a GREAT spirit. Now, she is just a typical teenage girl enjoying her amazing life.

Abi proves to us all that her will to fight will help her accomplish anything. That’s all a mother could ever hope for her daughter.

Abi’s Angels

Abi’s Angels is a team participating in the Walk to END Epilepsy – San Antonio. On Saturday, July 27 from 1-4pm, Abi’s Angels is having a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at the Epilepsy Foundation office in San Antonio. Support her team by buying $8 tickets to their fundraiser. There will be a bake sale, too.

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