Girl, 6, gives back to children’s hospital after brain surgery

Kara McKenzie Hoffman was your typical cheerful 6-year-old – full of life, laughter and a love for singing, dancing and tennis. But then, she started feeling intense pressure in her head and severe back pain.

Getting answers

A visit to her pediatrician in Greenville led to an MRI in November of 2019. What was supposed to be a simple scan turned into a two-and-a-half-hour ordeal, leaving Kara’s parents with more questions than answers.

By the end of the day, they had devastating news: Kara had no cerebrospinal fluid moving between her brain and spine. Her entire spine was filled with fluid – a syringomyelia caused by a Chiari malformation type I.

"This was the largest syringomyelia they had ever seen," recalled Brittany Hoffman, Kara's mother. The fluid extended from C2 down her entire spine, putting immense pressure on her spinal cord. Immediate action was needed, or Kara could lose her ability to eat and use her hands.

Finding the best possible care

Determined to find the best care for their daughter, the Hoffmans began researching Kara’s condition. They joined Facebook groups to connect with other parents and consulted numerous doctors across the country, both online and in person.

Ultimately, they found a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Ramin Eskandari, MS, M.D., just a few hours away at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. After meeting him in person in December of 2019, they knew he would take exceptional care of their daughter.

"Dr. Eskandari answered all our questions, helping us feel as comfortable as possible about such a big procedure," Brittany said.

On Feb. 12, 2020, Kara underwent a Chiari decompression with duraplasty. The surgery left a large incision at the back of her neck, making neck movement difficult. She spent one night in the ICU and five more days recovering at Shawn Jenkins.

"Kara's recovery was made so much easier thanks to her incredible care team, the therapy dogs and the Child Life program,” Brittany shared. "She even witnessed a therapy dog wedding on Valentine’s Day – a sweet, fun memory during a tough time."

A new passion for giving back

Today, Kara is unstoppable. Cleared by Dr. Eskandari, she’s now into competitive horseback riding and school cheerleading. She’s active in her church, loves school, and spends her free time riding her bike and playing tennis with her family.

Kara’s challenging journey has ignited a passion in her to give back to MUSC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Programs that helped her, like therapy dog visits and fun hospital play spaces, were all thanks to generous donors. Now, Kara pays it forward, regularly donating toys to the children’s hospital and sharing a portion of her earnings.

"Her experience is a part of her story now, and she prays for the children at the hospital every week," Brittany said. "We are profoundly grateful to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. It’s truly a special place."