River O’Keefe, a second-grader at Brocton Elementary School, is set to undergo her 28th medical procedure on March 7 to address brain and skull issues she has dealt with since she was two years old. Submitted photo

BROCTON — A second-grade student from Brocton has already endured more in her young life than most people will in their lifetime. The latest hurdle in her arduous journey is set for early next month.

River O’Keefe is set to undergo a 28th medical procedure on March 7 to address ongoing concerns with her brain and skull. The procedure will take place just a couple weeks after her eighth birthday.

“River’s attitude and the way she looks at things keeps us positive,” said her mother, Jessie Lane. “We’re just taking it one step at a time.”

When River was 2 years old, she needed surgery to reconstruct her skull to give her brain room to grow. Complications from the surgery led to a stroke, a brain injury, a brain bleed, and swelling of the brain. As a result, the bones of her skull were left off to combat the swelling and River was put on life support. Since then, she has been on life support five more times.

After six weeks, doctors attempted to reattach her skull bones, but her body rejected them. River was then left without her skull. Her brain then swelled again and she had another stroke. River has developed cysts on her brain, which has led to her needing two shunts to constantly drain them.

Since her first procedure, River has never gone a full year without a surgery — the longest gap between procedures was approximately seven months.

In between surgeries, River does her best to live a normal life. She loves horses and enjoys horseback riding. She also enjoys riding her bike and playing with friends, but she has to be more careful than other children her age.

“You really wouldn’t know from seeing her unless you knew her story. She’s able to do almost everything. We just have to be more cautious,” said Lane. “She wants to do more — like play softball and tumbling — but we can’t risk that yet. She’s so positive, it’s hard to tell her no.”

As of now, River is missing most of the right side of her skull. Her body rejects everything that doctors try to use to replace her skull. On March 7, doctors will be doing a skin graft to address the area where a shunt was inserted to drain a cyst in River’s brain.

Doctors do not have a long-term plan, instead with the intent to fix issues as they arise. More surgeries are anticipated in the future.

“We hope one day for a more permanent plan,” Lane said. “As of now, it’s just hoping to buy us a little more time before the next surgery.”

A fundraising campaign has been established, by Elizabeth Ehmke, to cover future medical expenses, travel expenses to and from doctors visits in Buffalo, and everyday living expenses. To donate, visit www.givesendgo.com/G9EVF