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Great Care from Pediatric Department at Benefis
Gabrielle “Bree” Daehn
Gabrielle “Bree” Daehn, from Helena, Montana is a wonderful little girl who knows the Pediatrics Department at Benefis Healthcare all too well. Bree, age 9, was born with several congenital anomalies—the most prominent being an encephalacele, which was a large lump on her forehead consisting of spinal fluid and abnormal brain tissue. She was also born with her left eye missing and an amniotic band around her left arm which was amputated above the elbow.
Her condition was quite complex according to Dr. Dale Schaefer, her neurosurgeon since birth. Bree’s first surgery was to repair her encepalacele and her second surgery was to put in a ventricular shunt for the purpose of draining spinal fluid, both of which were very complicated. Bree has had many subsequent surgeries of which she keeps track. She has had surgery to receive an artificial eye and she has had her shunt revised many times. Within the last year alone she has had it adjusted three times.
Despite all the surgeries, Bree prevailed, becoming a very well adjusted, happy little girl thanks to a great support system. Her mom and grandparents have been there for her every step of the way. “Within reason she can do anything she wants to do,” says Dr. Schaefer who has also been important in her life. “She can be a normal kid and do normal kid things. The sky is the limit.” Similar situations could require a child and family to travel and be gone for weeks or even months at a time. Fortunately, because Benefis Healthcare has an amazing Perinatologist, Dr. Key, and outstanding Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatrics departments, children and their families are able to stay in our community rather than travel for treatment, according to Dr. Schaefer.
Bree was Benefis Healthcare Foundation’s special guest at their annual fundraising event MayFaire in 2008. The beneficiary of the funds that year was the Pediatrics Unit at Benefis.
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