SIX –YEAR old Sherlock Semple, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour, and had to be assisted financially by benevolent Guyanese, has returned home after a successful surgery in the twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

His mother Michelle Semple told the Berbice media that the family is forever grateful for the kindness shown by the various groups in making it possible for her son to have the surgery performed.
“Currently, Sherlock is able to move his limbs, take three to five steps, and would speak wherever he needed to rest. Previously, he was unable to respond in those ways. I am pleased with the result of the surgery, but it would not have been possible without the help of the Guyanese family. If I am to list their names it will be endless. Nevertheless, thanks, thanks, thanks, to those persons who have contributed in giving my son another lease of life,” Ms. Smple related.
During February last the nursery school child of Angoy’s Avenue, Berbice had complained of headaches, vomiting and blurred vision. As he continued to deteriorate neurologically, a visit was made to the New Amsterdam Hospital where a transfer was made to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). At that health institution, following a CT scan, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus secondary to a cystic leson in the posterior fossa. He was initially admitted to the intensive care unit and incubated, had a VP Shunt put in and resuscitated.
After further tests were conducted, the patient was referred to neighbouring Trinidad for specialist treatment at a cost of US$50,000.
As a result of the cost, the family pleaded with the general public for help, and the overwhelming response allowed the New Amsterdam resident to travel to the CARICOM state where he was medically treated for three weeks.
Neurosurgeon Robert Ramcharan of St Clair Medical Centre, Port of Spain in his medical report noted that on August 10, 2012 the patient was taken to the operating room and the surgical procedure done for removal of the tumor. Postoperatively the patient went to Intensive Care Unit and two days later he was transferred to the ward where he continued on nasal-gastric feeds of high protein and high calories, along with physiotherapy treatment.
Although he was discharged on August 29, the surgeon has recommended that a repeat CT scan be done in three months and also a MRI every year to ensure no recurrence.