Oct
08
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Two-year-old Maggie has just received her fourth Mehta cast to treat idiopathic scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. Mehta casting is a succession of casts that have been shown to be the best treatment for children with scoliosis, typically applying a new cast every six to eight weeks. Full correction can be achieved without invasive surgery.
“Patients tolerate casts extremely well and is a much better option than bracing,” says Henry J. Iwinski,Jr., M.D., chief of staff and pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Shriners in Lexington. “This treatment method has been revolutionary in the care of these children.”
After Maggie came out of anesthesia with a pink Mehta cast wrapped around her stomach, she became anxious. Post-anesthesia care unit nurse, Katy, picked Maggie up to comfort her as she rested after a tough procedure.
Sep
18
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Gavin is a fighter. At age 9, he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a very rare type of cancerous tumor that affects about 200 people each year. Most often found in males, Ewing sarcoma grows in the bones or the soft tissues surrounding the bones. In Gavin’s case, the tumor began in his back, pressing on his lumbar spine and the nerves controlling his left leg, causing excruciating pain and temporary paralysis.
To relieve the pain and prevent further nerve damage, doctors removed the tumor and began chemotherapy. After the chemo, Gavin started radiation therapy as an outpatient. The goal was to be sure the cancer cells in the original tumor were gone. For a while, they were.
“Gavin put cancer in the rearview mirror and went on with his life,” says his mother, Julie. But about two years after treatment, Gavin started waking up with terrible headaches. An MRI confirmed the cancer was back, appearing at the base of his skull, cervical spine and in his ribs. The news was a devastating blow, but he mustered the strength to fight the cancer again. Since then, Gavin says he’s relapsed five or six times—he’s lost count.
“Over the years, we have used standard chemotherapy to treat Gavin, but we have also tried a variety of other innovative options, including experimental therapeutics and immunotherapy,” says J. Allyson Hays, M.D. “What impresses me the most about him and his parents is they continue to choose optimism, generosity and love throughout his treatment. He is an inspiring young man, and we are exploring every avenue possible to give Gavin a fighting chance.”
Photo: Jane Kortright
Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
To view more photos visit Children’s Hospitals Photo Exhibit.
Sep
16
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Allyn DiVito; Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; St. Petersburg, Florida
Chloe, Lauren, McKinley and Avalynn met during cancer treatment and quickly became friends forever. Theirs is a friendship that has endured chemotherapy, hundreds of needle sticks, weeks of hospitalization and years of fighting a repulsive disease.
In 2016, with tiny bald heads and frail bodies, they first donned their signature tutus to commemorate National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Tutu Tuesday started an annual tradition of returning to the hospital together. On the day of this photo, nurses received hugs from the “tutu girls,” as they have become known. Others reveled in how fast the four had grown.
During several renditions of “Ring Around the Rosie,” Officer Dean was embraced into the dance. “I thought it was so sweet how the girls welcomed this big security guard into their group,” Shawna, Lauren’s mom, says. “We have walked by him and waved hello, but I would have never imagined what a good sport he was to spin around with these four friends.”
To view more photos visit Children’s Hospitals Photo Exhibit.
Sep
09
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Teddy Bear Clinic
Photo: Juan Pulido
Children’s Medical Center Dallas
Evan is shown an X-ray of his teddy bear by a child life team member at the teddy bear clinic at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. The teddy bear clinic provides an opportunity for pediatric patients to step out of their role as a patient and become a caregiver. Each child is given a teddy bear and, in their caregiver role, names the bear and decides on a diagnosis. The bear then moves through each treatment station: registration, IV placement, X-Ray and surgery.
This therapeutic activity provides a positive healthcare experience. The bear often serves as an outlet for patients to express their feelings or concerns regarding the bear’s care, or their own. Its impact is far-reaching, increasing a child’s confidence and assisting with coping skills.
Aug
19
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Speak Now for Kids is celebrating Medicaid’s 54th birthday with blogs highlighting the importance of Medicaid in children’s access to health care. This week we spoke with Ben’s mom, Jen. Ben is a Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day alum and current patient at Blank Children’s Hospital.
Ben was diagnosed with a rare disease called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) at age 3. His muscles are quickly breaking down and will not restore themselves, so every decision we make as a family must include Ben’s medical needs. We think about the small decisions like taking him to the playground—will Ben have enough energy to play, or will he get frustrated because his body won’t cooperate. We want him to have a happy childhood, despite the crippling effects of this terrible disease.
Overnight, our family went from being a normal and healthy family to a special needs family. Since our primary insurance doesn’t cover all of Ben’s needs, we rely on Medicaid to make key services available for him. His drug costs are expensive, and he’ll require multiple medications and medical equipment moving forward. Without good insurance options—like Medicaid or access to our primary insurance with pre-existing conditions—our family would face serious financial effects.
Aug
12
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Speak Now for Kids is celebrating Medicaid’s 54th birthday with blogs highlighting the importance of Medicaid in children’s access to health care. This week we spoke with Conner’s mom, Katiane. Conner is a Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day alum and current patient at Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Conner was born premature at 25 weeks and experienced many associated conditions, including cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental delays and blindness.
Our lives revolve around accommodating his medical conditions—I devote every minute of each day to caring for Conner and taking him to countless doctor appointments.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the vital coverage from Medicaid. Our family has private insurance and my husband’s history of military service qualifies us for TRICARE—a health insurance program for military members and their families. But even with these two forms of coverage, Medicaid is essential for Conner to cover his medical appointments and supplies. It helps fill the gap when our private insurance and TRICARE fail to cover certain needs, like many of the home-health services Conner needs.
Medicaid allows Conner to live at home with his family where he belongs. It provided a ramp for Conner to safely get in and out of the house. In the past, we had to carry him to the house in the rain and snow. We now have a home aid to help Conner with basic needs like toileting, bathing and dressing.
Aug
05
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Speak Now for Kids is celebrating Medicaid’s 54th birthday with blogs highlighting the importance of Medicaid in children’s access to health care. This week we spoke with Rowan’s mom, Kate. Rowan is a Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day alum and current patient at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.
I advocate for my child’s health care by speaking up for her needs. Though her disorder is rare, it does not make any of her basic needs any less crucial.
I advocate for Rowan’s health care because the health of my child means absolutely everything to me. I have seen my child dealing with what would be many parent’s worst nightmare.
I advocate for her health because it is my duty as her Mom to make sure she’s able to live the healthiest and happiest life possible.
Rowan was diagnosed with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa as a newborn, which means that she is missing the “glue” that holds her skin to her body. The surface of her body can blister and shear off leaving wounds like second-degree burns, so Rowan must be bandaged from the neck down to cover wounds and prevent infection. Dressing Rowan in clothes throughout her life has been a challenge as she could only wear certain types of clothes or shoes. Swimming in the pool and bathing means many hours of painful wound care for Rowan.
Jul
01
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Roshanae is participating at 2019 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day from June 25-26 in Washington, D.C. During the event, Roshanae will share information about her health journey and the importance of children’s health care with members of Congress. Below is her story.
Roshanae is a policy wonk who loves to watch CSPAN—she even watches during her stays in the hospital!
Roshanae has been receiving treatment for sickle cell disease at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland since she was diagnosed at age 4. Sickle cell disease gets worse with age, so Roshanae has had to endure more hospital visits as her condition progresses. Now 20, she continues to travel hundreds of miles from her college in Riverside to receive the care she needs in Oakland.
Jun
30
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Hailey is participating at 2019 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day from June 25-26 in Washington, D.C. During the event, Hailey will share information about her health journey and the importance of children’s health care with members of Congress. Below is her story.
Hailey is an extraordinarily strong minded 11-year-old who loves to sing and dance.
An unthinkable event happened when Hailey was a two-year-old, she fell in the bathtub and broke her neck. The accident had left Hailey paralyzed from the neck down, unable to move her arms and legs, and the long-term outlook was disheartening.
“They told us she wouldn’t ever talk, wouldn’t be able to eat on her own, wouldn’t be able to walk — wouldn’t be able to do anything,” said Hailey’s grandmother.
Hailey met Dr. Keane at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH) who specializes in working with children with complex medical needs. Hailey started an intense course of weekly therapy, including physical therapy to help her move around and occupational therapy to help her with activities of daily living. She bonded with her therapists and looked forward to each appointment as a special sort of playtime.
Jun
29
Posted by Champion for Children's Health
Conner is participating at 2019 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day from June 25-26 in Washington, D.C. During the event, Conner will share information about his health journey and the importance of children’s health care with members of Congress. Below is his story.
Conner is fearless and determined. He loves to sing songs, especially Shimmy Shimmy Coco Pop from the movie Big, and the theme song of Beauty and the Beast!
Conner was born premature at 25 weeks and experienced many associated conditions including cerebral palsy, seizures, developmental delays and blindness. Despite being born at a hospital that had a NICU, Conner’s rare medical needs required him to be airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Since the doctors at CHOP are trained to treat children with similar medical conditions as Conner, he began to show improvement.