Giselle gets a new lease on life
While Giselle still needs to attend physio to help strengthen her jaw, the operation was a success.
GRADE 2 learner, Giselle Stow, has recovered well after her life-altering, jaw-lengthening operation in October.
Giselle was born more than two months premature and was initially diagnosed with Pierre Robin Syndrome. It was later realised that this was not the case and doctors have since placed her among eight other children with the same syndrome, one that has not yet been named.
According to her mom, Gabrielle, the operation went well and the only hiccup was Giselle had to be intubated for longer than expected due to the swelling of her throat. Her jaw had to be lengthened, widened and tilted. The surgeons also added fat implants into her cheeks.
“Giselle had to have the operation done because she could barely open her mouth. She only has four teeth, and with the hope of adult teeth coming through in the next year or so, Giselle will not have been able to open her mouth at all, eat or speak,” said Gabrielle.
“The operation has been a success in moving her lower jaw forward, but in order to open her mouth wider she is now undergoing physiotherapy. The muscles in her mouth are tight and therefore restricting movement,” said Gabrielle.
According to the doting mom, the physio has not been too severe as Giselle still has distractors in her mouth, which were used to widen her mouth. Once those are removed in February, the intensity of the physiotherapy will increase.
“We would just like to thank everyone who supported us, be it financial, emotional and through prayer, Giselle has certainly come a long way and is going from strength to strength,” said Gabrielle.
You can also follow Giselle’s story on her Facebook page, Giselle Ruby Stow – The Ongoing Story.
