A new life for Lynkin after encephalocele surgery

When you meet Lynkin Bell, the first things you notice are her big personality and chubby cheeks. You might also see how she adores her brother Lukis and hamming it up for the camera. But you’d never guess that this playful 14-month-old from Texas wasn’t expected to survive, never mind talk, stand or play peekaboo like a pro. And yet, thanks to her parents’ faith and persistence — and surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital — Lynkin can do all those things, and lots more, with the gusto befitting any toddler her age. “It’s a miracle,” says Kaylen Gaston, Lynkin’s mom. “We were told so many times she wouldn’t make it, and here she is defying all odds.” It was during Kaylen’s routine 18-week prenatal visit that she and Lynkin’s dad Mark first learned their unborn baby girl had an encephalocele, a rare neural tube defect that causes brain tissue to grow outside of the skull. Their doctors did not offer much hope. “The specialists in Texas told us her chances of surviving the pregnancy were very slim, and if she did survive she would face many disabilities,” says Kaylen. “They talked about termination.” Choosing hope But the couple wasn’t ready to give up on their daughter. Online, they discovered a group for parents of babies with an encephalocele. Not only were these children surviving, but some were also thriving. “Once we had that small sliver of hope, we hung onto it. We decided we had to give our baby a chance,” says Kaylen. Th...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Craniofacial Program Dr. John Meara Dr. Mark Proctor encephalocele Source Type: news