Kato mother of 8 recovering after lifesaving operation

Fifty-year-old Junita Gomes of Kato Village in Region Eight underwent a life-saving operation two weeks ago at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) to drain the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid from a rare brain tumor.

The mother of eight was diagnosed with Acoustic Neuroma on March 05, 2019. A year later after an MRI, Gomes was diagnosed with CP angle brain tumor and Obstructive Hydrocephalus. It is a benign tumor that develops on the balance and auditory nerves leading from the inner ear to the brain.

The first surgery was done on June 08 by neurosurgeon Dr Amarnauth Dukhi to remove the fluid from the brain and insert a VP shunt. The shunt is a permanent catheter which will help to drain cerebrospinal fluid and redirect it to another location in the body where it can be reabsorbed.

However, Gomes still has to undergo a second surgery to remove the tumor that is now compressing her optic nerve and making her blind.

The surgery was initially scheduled to be done at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital but Director of Medical and Professional Services of the GPHC, Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey intervened and made arrangements for the surgery to be done at GPHC.

The woman’s sister Maria Jeffers told the News Room that the surgery was a huge success and Gomes is now at home recuperating after spending one week in the hospital.

“She had the shunt put in and since then she is talking, eating, sitting up but she cannot walk by herself because she has no balance,” the sister said.

Prior to the surgery, Gomes suffered seizures; she was bedridden having lost her eyesight, her balance, her appetite, her taste and her speech and was in constant pain but has now greatly improved.

“She had good care and we are trying our best at home,” the sister said.

According to the sister, doctors explained that once the tumor is removed, Gomes’ eyesight will be restored.

The family is very grateful to the GPHC team, friends and other relatives for their prayers and assistance.

Gomes worked as the caretaker for the Government guesthouse in Kato for the past 13 years.