Tumbler Ridge survivor update: Maya Gebala undergoing emergency surgery, says mom

The news came hours after family revealed Maya had opened one eye and was showing signs of movement

Maya Gebala remains in intensive care in a Vancouver hospital. Photo by David Gebala /FacebookTumbler Ridge shooting survivor Maya Gebala had successful emergency surgery on Saturday night to relieve a buildup of fluid on her brain, her family said on social media.

Her mother, Cia Edmonds, said Maya was suffering from hydrocephalus, which is when an excess of fluid increases the size of the ventricles, putting pressure on the brain.

“Please keep her in your thoughts,” Cia Edmonds wrote after Maya’s surgery began. “I believe it’s helped her this far.”

Early Sunday morning, Maya’s dad, David Gebala, said the surgery was a success:

“Our brave little warrior has come through her emergency surgery,” he wrote on Facebook. “After what felt like the longest hour of our lives, the surgeon came to tell us it was successful. They’ve placed a drain on her right side, and she’s holding on strong just another hurdle she’s facing with so much strength. We love you endlessly.”

News of the surgery came hours after family revealed Maya had opened one eye and was showing signs of movement.

Family games

In the video shared on Facebook earlier on Saturday, Maya in seen her hospital bed with one eye open, while the other remains taped closed.

“Such exciting news,” Krysta Hunt, who is the cousin of Maya’s mom, Cia Edmonds, wrote in the video caption. “Maya has opened her right eye and is responding. She is moving her hand and leg on her right side. This is amazing progress.”

Hunt also thanked everyone “near and far” who has sent prayers, love, food, flowers and donations.

Maya, 12, has been in intensive care at a Vancouver hospital since she was shot in the head during the Feb. 10 mass shooting. Her family was told Maya was trying to lock the shooter out of the library at the time to save her classmates.

Eight people were killed during the shooting, including five students and one teacher at Tumbler Ridge Secondary, and the shooter’s mother and stepbrother at the family home.

Maya was one of two survivors flown to a hospital in Vancouver after the shooting. The other, Paige Hoekstra, was released on Feb. 16 to return to Tumbler Ridge to continue her recovery.

Maya’s family has been keeping the community updated through social media posts and on her GoFundMe page.

Maya Gebela, who was shot at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Feb. 10, remains in hospital. Photo by GoFundMe

On Wednesday, an update by Maya’s dad, David Gebala, said that pressure on her ventilator had been turned down because she was taking her own breaths.

“Every single day, you show us just how strong, determined, and incredible you truly are. You continue to defy every expectation the doctors and surgeons once prepared us for. We were told we only had hours and yet here you are, still fighting, still with us,” his message read.

“You went from not being able to move at all, to moving more and more each day. And now, the nurses have adjusted your ventilator to pressure support because you’re taking your own breaths. What an amazing milestone.”

Meanwhile, the family of victim Kylie Smith said they had to postpone a celebration of life for their 12-year-old daughter after receiving threats to their safety by “a very dangerous person.”