Jessica Sets the Stage
Jessica will never forget the day of her twelfth birthday. And not because her wish came true or all of her friends came. On the morning of her birthday party, Jessica woke up with blurry vision in one eye. Her eye doctor said it was likely papilledema, which is characterized by swelling at the back of the eye and only caused by swelling in the brain. She attended her birthday party anyway but immediately afterwards, Jessica went to the Emergency Department at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) with a note from her eye doctor. She stayed overnight and had an MRI scan done the next day. The following day, October 17, 2010, she underwent a five-hour emergency brain surgery to remove the benign tumour.
The entire tumour was removed but the wall of the cyst was left because it was too risky for removal. Jessica visits SickKids for MRI monitoring every six months as the tumour is steadily growing, putting pressure on her brain.
Three months after the surgery, Jessica started having seizures. They last for about 30 seconds to one minute each time and leave her feeling extremely nauseous and tired for the rest of the day. She can have up to three seizures per week. If she gets them at school she has to leave.Jessica’s seizures pose limitations on her academics and social life. In grade 8 she was accepted to the dance and drama programs at her specialized arts school but the dancing became too much. As well, her grades have dropped significantly no matter how hard she tries to keep up. She doesn’t go to sleepovers and sometimes finds herself having trouble maintaining friendships with her peers.
"All these mental illnesses are just as scary and deadly as cancers and other diseases."
Fortunately, SickKids provides care for the physical and mental well-being of patients. The Department of Psychiatry at SickKids sees more than 10,000 patients a year through outpatient, day hospital and inpatient programs. Jessica was referred in June 2013 and is currently being treated for depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
It’s comforting for Jessica to know she has a support system at SickKids behind her. Through cognitive behavioural therapy, she slowly exposes herself to stimuli that trigger negative emotions. She keeps a journal at home and discusses her documentations with her doctors.
Performing is Jessica’s outlet – the stage is a place where she feels free from all the overwhelming emotions. In the winter of 2014 Jessica wrote a play based on her life and constant inner struggles. The play was called ‘The Judge’ and was a dialogue between two lawyers, arguing about who Jessica really was on the inside. Jessica played the role of herself. She was on trial, listening to the two perspectives. The play ended with a monologue where Jessica reflected on her true self.Her masterpiece was performed in front of the entire school and parents. This was a testament of how far Jessica has come.
