Alexandrea Howlan
Posted on 10.25.07 by wjs3
Alex was diagnosed with Moya-Moya Syndrome at age 18 months, this
condition restricts the blood and oxygen flow to her brain. She suffered
through 5 surgeries over the years at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH),
the last was in August of 2004. Alex’s surgeon at BCH- Dr. Scott, refers
to Alex as his “little challenge” because he can’t figure out how to help
her. Dr. Scott recently told mom (Alicia Howlan), that there was no other
surgery that could be done to save her, that her arteries are too restricted.
Alex suffered a major stroke over the 2004 Christmas holiday, a direct cause
of this disease.
On March 1, 2005, Alex bravely went through a battery of tests @ Albany Medical
Center Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex and her family.
We learned of this families plight in November of 2004. We adopted Alexandrea and
her family for Christmas, made possible through generous donations. We are confident
that we helped make their holiday memorable, especially the visit from Jolly Old
St. Nick with his sack filled with goodies.
We also paid outstanding medical bills at BCH.
We will remain in close contact with the family and provide any finacial and
emotional support they should need.
Alex attends school for a couple of hours a day until she gets tired.
Alex told us- "I'm glad I met new friends like you...I thank god for special
people in the world each day and god led me to all of you."
To Alex: "You will always be our special angel and we thank god for leading us
to you too!"
Visit to Alex's home at Christmas time (2004)
Alex shows off her favorite baseball team in the lobby of Boston Children's Hospital on 10.13.05