Children's Miracle Network Radiothon

Jenny Biggs, a Fairhope resident and former USA Children's & Women's Hospital patient, was selected to represent the state of Alabama by Children's Miracle Network. 

Below is a detailed look at Jenny's story.  Following the story is a link to information about how you can take part in an upcoming Radiothon and help the Children's Miracle Network.

Jenny’s brain tumor is called a Cerebellar Astrocytoma which is typically benign when found in adolescents. Jenny’s tumor measured 62x34 mm in size and was blocking the flow of spinal fluid causing pressure in her cranium resulting in severe headaches.  It is unknown what causes these tumors and they usually form very quickly. Jenny’s physicians were able to determine that her tumor had been there for quite some time due to the thickness of her cranium. Jenny also suffered a blood clot after surgery requiring an emergency craniotomy.

Jenny first felt sick in February 2010. After a few days, Jenny’s mom thought she must have the flu. When she still felt sick almost a week later they decided she was having migraines. Throughout the year, Jenny’s migraines continued to worsen. In between severe, debilitating migraines were moderate to severe headaches every day. An MRI was scheduled but Jenny and her mom found themselves in a local area emergency room one night after Jenny had finally gotten so sick she couldn’t even lean over to vomit. Jenny’s mom found her lying on the floor too sick to move. When Jenny’s mom rushed to her side, Jenny whispered “I want to die”. Her pain couldn’t wait any longer and it was time to get some help. The doctor that treated her originally thought she was having hormonal migraines and sent her home after the pain subsided. 24 hours later she woke up still in excruciating pain and they headed back to the ER. After a 3 hour wait, a doctor ordered a CT scan of Jenny’s head and at 2:00 a.m. Jenny and her mom were sent to USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital by a very concerned physician.

Jenny and her mom arrived at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital at 4:00 a.m. At 9:00 that morning Jenny was having an MRI when they met Dr. Martino, the neurosurgeon on duty. Jenny’s mom says, “Dr. Martino walked into the room calmly and assuredly. He had a gentle smile and didn’t make promises but I’ll never forget what he said because it was the first moment that I thought everything was going to be alright. He said the prognosis looks favorable and he was pretty certain it was benign.” Jenny’s tumor was first discovered at 2:00 a.m. and 11 hours later she was in surgery.

It is unknown how much longer Jenny could have lived before the tumor ruptured, but she wouldn’t have survived that. The surgery to remove the tumor and insert a shunt to drain fluid went routinely well. The surgical team thought they were finished when Jenny developed a blood clot in another area of her brain and an emergency craniotomy had to be performed. Jenny’s mom said, “Our high hopes turned into fears that Jenny would be left brain damaged or paralyzed.”

The next 48 hours were terrifying for Jenny’s family as Jenny remained on a ventilator unable to breathe on her own. There was fear of partial paralysis like that of a stroke victim due to the clot. Jenny’s family prayed and prayed and on day 2, Jenny woke up. Jenny’s mom says, “I’ve never been happier to hear the word ‘mama’ when she looked at me and recognized me. She whispered, ‘its okay mama’, as I was smiling through my tears.”

Jenny remained in PICU for 5 days and then on the Pediatric floor for another week. Her surgery relieved the immense pressure on her brain but left her unable to walk, talk clearly or control her right hand. She began speech therapy and physical therapy at USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital and then was released to Rotary Therapy for another week.

Over the course of the next few months, Jenny would have to relearn how to walk, talk and use her right (dominant) hand. She was unable to return to high school but finished her freshman year homebound. It was during this time of intense therapy and being torn from her former life that depression and post traumatic stress disorder set in. Jenny needed help emotionally but fought visiting a doctor because it just added to the trauma. Jenny’s family went through the worst time for the next five months while Jenny suffered emotionally. They finally found the right kind of treatment for her and have been so happy to see “the old Jenny” return! She returned to school for her sophomore year and went on her first date to the Homecoming dance in September.

3They say, “no one forgets a red head” and that couldn’t be truer about Jenny. You are quick to notice Jenny in a crowd because of her beautiful red hair and high watt smile but it doesn’t take long to realize that what’s inside is what truly sets Jenny apart from all the rest.

Jenny’s physicians, nurses and therapists were amazed at Jenny’s positive attitude throughout her recovery. One nurse started calling her “Rock