Life-Changing Surgery Gives 3-Year-Old Girl a Fresh Start and Bright Smile
Marion, general patient, playing at the veranda before her surgery.
Three-year-old Marion’s smile, spirit, and energy light up every room she enters. Vibrant, playful, and full of life, she’s the kind of child who makes instant friends and gives warm hugs.
“Marion is a playful little girl who is very friendly. She’s adorable,” shared Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide, a volunteer pediatric surgeon from Nigeria who later performed the surgery that changed Marion’s life.
Marion was born with an umbilical hernia; a condition that had grown more severe over time. She lost her mother when she was just a baby, and soon after, her father left. That’s when her aunt Helen stepped in and took custody of her. “She is like my own daughter, and I want the best for her,” Helen said.
“Marion has had this condition since she was little,” shared Adams, Marion’s uncle. Adams and Helen explained that the toddler developed the hernia as an infant, and it has just continued to get bigger and bigger.
Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide, Pediatric Surgeon, with Marion, after ward rounds.
Hope and Healing Arrives for Marion
Helen wasn’t aware of any attempts by Marion’s biological parents to seek treatment. But even if they tried, finding help would have been incredibly difficult. Sierra Leone has only one pediatric surgeon, making access to specialized care nearly impossible.
But thanks to the government’s and its partners’ efforts, change is underway, and the surgical workforce is slowly growing.
When Helen heard a radio announcement about the return of the Global Mercy™ to Sierra Leone, hope stirred. She quickly registered Marion for an evaluation.
On board the hospital ship, doctors diagnosed Marion with a prominent proboscoid umbilical hernia — a hernia with a significant amount of redundant, protruding skin overlying it, usually involving downward displacement of the umbilicus. It was a condition that needed surgery.
“When the child is born, the umbilicus would [usually] close once the cord falls off,” explained Dr. Seyi-Olajide. “But sometimes it doesn’t, and it keeps getting bigger because bowels keep going in there.” She added that some professionals believe factors like malnutrition or genetics may play a role in why the umbilicus doesn’t close properly.
According to Helen, Marion occasionally complains of stomach pain. “She does say it hurts sometimes, but I don’t think the pain is from the hernia,” she explained.
Other children and even adults sometimes tease Marion so much that she’s become very aware of her condition. As a result, she hides it under her clothes. She quickly tucks it back in if it ever slips out, almost instinctively.
This growing self-consciousness, combined with the potential health risks of her condition, could have long-term effects on her confidence and emotional well-being. “If Marion didn’t get this surgery, it would affect her psychosocially, her body image, and could make her withdrawn. She could be a victim of bullying or stigmatization,” Dr. Seyi-Olajide explained.
The surgeon added that without surgery, “It (umbilical hernia) could become irreducible, obstructed, compromising blood supply and could become gangrenous.” She said that, in some cases, it could become fatal.
Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide, Pediatric Surgeon, and Dr. Sherif Emil, International Chief Medical Officer, with Marion, during ward rounds.
A New Chapter with Renewed Confidence
Marion’s surgery lasted nearly 75 minutes. “I would describe it as life-changing,” said Dr. Seyi-Olajide. “She may be too young now to understand body image, but that issue has already been taken care of. And more importantly, the risk of future complications is completely gone.”
Just one day after surgery, Marion was already back to her bubbly, playful self. When Helen visited her on the ship, she was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
“I call her ‘my little lawyer’ because she speaks so well,” Helen shared, smiling. “But I’ll support her in becoming anything she wants to be.”
This life-changing surgery was made possible by the commitment of volunteers and the generosity of donors. You too can get involved, click here to get started today.
