Coral Springs Community Rallies Around 6-Year-Old as He Faces Life-Saving Brain Surgery

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LJ Howells {courtesy}

Louis Joseph Howells – or LJ- was born perfectly healthy on Feb. 12, 2019.

When his parents took him home from the hospital, everything seemed fine, his mom, Megan Feeley, a Coral Springs resident, said. But then, seven days later, their entire world changed when they noticed a twitching in their newborn baby boy’s foot. It happened a few times during that night, and in the morning, his head began to twitch.

They immediately took him to the pediatrician, who had him rushed – via air transport – to a trauma hospital in Miami. MRIs and other tests were performed, and he was diagnosed with a rare stroke. LJ had to be hospitalized for two and a half months. “I stayed by his side for the entire time,” said Feeley.

Unfortunately, his medical issues grew substantially more complicated when a brain aneurysm was also discovered. An aneurysm is a potentially dangerous weak point in a blood vessel that can swell and rupture, resulting in a brain bleed. According to Feeley, the doctors believe the stroke caused the aneurysm.

Given LJ’s young age when he was first diagnosed, he was too young to receive any procedure to treat his condition. However, when he was a toddler, they went to Boston Children’s Hospital for surgery, and a pleasantly unexpected outcome occurred.

“We checked into the hospital, and it was gone,” Feeley said. “It was a miracle. I was finally able to breathe again.”

Sadly, they didn’t have much in the way of family or social support. Feeley’s mom was murdered in a random home robbery in Kendall eight years ago.

“She was the rock of the family,” Feeley said to describe her mom. Then, the following year, when she was pregnant with LJ, she found her dad’s body on the patio.

Feeley and husband, Louis Howells, have four children; LJ being the only boy. For several years, LJ seemed to be doing well, but still needed periodic checkups at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. Then, six months ago, the now 6-year-old LJ started complaining of really bad headaches and eye pain. He was rushed to Joe DiMaggio, where they found his aneurysm had returned.

Since then, they have spent the last six months going for follow-up diagnostic testing at Joe DiMaggio’s, with the scanning and imaging results being shared with the Boston medical team for review. Things have since worsened; the aneurysm continues to grow. “It’s a time bomb,” Feeley said. A clipping procedure is now necessary, and they are expecting a call shortly from Boston Children’s Hospital, which specializes in that type of surgery, to have it performed within the next few weeks.

“I absolutely have to give him the best.”

Feeley’s tried to find support groups, but the rare nature of his illness has made that almost impossible. She did find a mom’s Facebook group and has received an overwhelming response.

Enter Coral Springs City Commissioner Joe McHugh – affectionately called “Uncle Joe” by LJ – who Feeley said has been so supportive of their family. McHugh is a referee for the Florida Junior Panthers. The commissioner’s son plays hockey for that team. And the entire team and coaches alike have made the youngster a member of their hockey family.

“My son has been brought into this junior family,” said Feeley. “This team of 16-year-old boys has brought him into their locker room. It’s just been, I don’t even have the words for it. I just cry. I can’t say enough about the Junior Panthers.”

McHugh said, “I saw a Facebook post and reached out to his mom. Ever since then, we’ve connected beyond belief. To see the smile on his face it’s overwhelming. The way the community has come around to support him, it’s sonic.”

The support from the entire Coral Springs community has been overwhelming, said Feeley. LJ was called upon to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent City Commission meeting, and a huge “Bye Bye Aneurysm Party” will be held at 4 Majors Indoor Golf, 9701 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

And now it’s just a matter of waiting for his aneurysm to be clipped at the specialized Boston hospital. “I’m trying to prepare him for the surgery,” said his mom, adding that when he awakens from the surgery, he might be without some of his beautiful, long blond hair.

“Right now, my goal is to bring him happiness before we leave.”

LJ’s Instagram page is Instagram@LJHowells212. His Amazon gift registry is here.

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Martin Lenkowsky

Martin Lenkowsky moved to Coral Springs from NYC in 1982. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. He has been both writer and editor for a number of South Florida publications since 1983. He considers features writing his specialty.