Nine-year-old Zoey Jones recovering after successful brain surgery for Moyamoya disease
By Michal Higdon
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WVTM) — Zoey Jones, a 9-year-old girl with sickle cell anemia, underwent brain surgery Wednesday to address complications from Moyamoya disease, a rare condition caused by sickle cell that limits blood flow to the brain.
Her mother, Erin, said the five-hour surgery went well.
“The doctors were able to implant a posterior artery in the area affected in her brain,” Erin said.
Zoey will spend the next couple of days in the pediatric intensive care unit for observation, Erin said. The doctor’s only concern is with some of the interior vessels down the middle, which he’ll be watching very closely over the next few months.
“Now we begin the road to recovery,” Erin said.
Zoey was diagnosed with the most severe form of sickle cell anemia at just three months old. When Zoey was six months old, her family moved from Mobile to Birmingham so she could receive specialized care at Children’s of Alabama. Over the years, her life has revolved around hospital visits, blood transfusions, and efforts to provide her with as normal a childhood as possible.
Despite these efforts, the disease has taken a toll. Zoey had to give up soccer, suffered a stroke at school, and was later diagnosed with Moyamoya disease. Moyamoya disease is a rare brain disorder in which the main arteries supplying blood to the brain narrow over time. To compensate, the brain grows a tangled network of tiny, fragile blood vessels that look like a “puff of smoke” on scans. It can cause strokes, seizures, and headaches in both children and adults.
Erin also expressed gratitude to those who have supported Zoey during this time.
“I can’t even put into words how thankful we are,” Erin said. “I was so nervous all day BUT GOD heard every prayer, and our girl made it through. Thank you for loving, praying for, and supporting our Zoey.”
Erin explained the mounting medical bills from Zoey’s ongoing treatments, surgeries and specialized care have been overwhelming for the family. She has set up a GoFundMe that will go directly toward Zoey’s medical bills and care. Zoey also has an Amazon Wishlist.
Zoey will now spend several months recovering, during which she will be homeschooled before gradually returning to her normal routine. Her family remains hopeful that this next step will bring fewer hospital visits and less pain.
Erin also said Make-A-Wish, a nonprofit organization working to help wishes come true for children with critical illnesses, reached out to them right after Zoey’s surgery and they’ll be working on granting Zoey a wish of her choosing.
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