After specialists at a hospital in Senegal reached out to several foreign health organizations, Janet was able to travel all the way from Gambia to have the life-saving operation. It was not possible to cure her in her own environment.
Janet Silva, who is now 12 years old, hasn’t cracked a smile in what seems like years.
It was because of a tumor that weighed six pounds and took up much of her face.
“She was unable to communicate. According to Dr. David Hoffman of Staten Island University Hospital, “the tumor filled up her mouth, and most strikingly, she could barely eat because of it.” I believe that if she had been given another six months, she would have perished from starvation.
Surgeons in the New York region were aware of Janet’s condition after hearing about it.
A medical professional in Western Africa notified international health organizations about the outbreak.
Janet and her mother were able to visit Cohen Children’s Hospital thanks to the assistance provided by the Global Medical Relief Fund.
The tumor was successfully removed on January 16, after an operation that lasted for 12 hours.
“I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you,” Janet remarked. “And I couldn’t be more grateful to the doctors for assisting me.”
They started by doing what is known as “virtual surgery,” during which the cancerous growth was seen on a computer. The strategy reduces the amount of time as well as the amount of guessing required throughout the operation.
In order to remove the tumor, they had to surgically remove Janet’s jaw from her skull and then rebuild it using a bone that was taken from her lower leg.
She had to relearn everything, including how to talk and how to eat.
“I’m glad to say that she’s gotten to a point where she’s able to talk and she’s able to eat,” said Dr. Armen Kasabian, of North Shore University Hospital. “Her strength and her working through it and all the nurses helping her through it,” he said, “have gotten her to this point.”
Phillomena, Janet’s mother, is very grateful to every single member of the approximately fifty-person team.
Through the assistance of an interpreter, she communicated her thoughts.
Philomena said that the Janet she knew when they first came in this country is not the same Janet she sees in the present day. “Because of it, I now have custody of my daughter, and for that I am both happy and grateful.”
The next week, Janet will go back to Africa. She has expressed how much she is looking forward to seeing her friends again as well as returning to school.