Paying it forward: Care for son ’s craniosynostosis spurs mom to run marathon
Will Flanigan can’t stop giggling. Whether he’s teasing his older sister, Spencer, or charming his way out of trouble with his parents, this toddler “is always cracking himself — and us — up,” says his mother, Caroline. “We call him Will the Thrill.”
On April 17, 2017, Will brought his good humor from his home in Dallas to the Boston Marathon finish line, where he joined his family in cheering on Caroline as she ran. But this wasn’t just any race. Caroline was running with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Miles for Miracles team for a very special reason: Almost exactly a year earlier, Will was a...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 12, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Boston Marathon Craniofacial Program craniosynostosis Dr. Mark Proctor Source Type: news
Journeys to excellence: Stories of three award-winning nurses
Cassandra Fleurentin
Every year, the New England Regional Black Nurses Association (NERBNA) recognizes nurses for their outstanding commitment to their profession and for going above and beyond in their designated specialty area. Read the stories of the three Boston Children’s Hospital nurses honored with this year’s Excellence in Nursing Awards.
Cassandra Fleurentin: BSN, staff nurse I, 9 South
Growing up, Cassandra’s mother had a chronic illness. Sitting by her bedside day in and day out and spending much of her childhood in hospitals and emergency rooms motivated Cassandra to become a nurse.
“My family is H...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 11, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Andrea Vega Tags: Caregivers nursing Source Type: news
A dream deferred but not denied by ACL tear
The dream of playing college soccer was within reach. Emily had been working on her game since she was four years old, and at 16 was now co-captain of both her high school and club teams. Colleges were taking note.
Just three games into club season, Emily was on the field in North Carolina, running back to her net when she tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). She heard her knee pop, and knew immediately what had happened. “I’ve always had a high tolerance for pain, but that definitely raised the bar,” she says. Her mother Lauri can still hear her daughter’s screams from that day as she watched the event...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 10, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jenny Fernandez Tags: Our Patients’ Stories ACL surgery ACL tear Division of Sports Medicine Dr. Benton Heyworth Micheli Center Source Type: news
When nursing runs in the family
For some, being a nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital is a family affair. In this video, meet a few of the men and women who care for patients and families alongside their own siblings, parents, children and spouses:
Sisters-in-law Shanna Barker (MICU) and Kelly Wietecha (MICU)
Caitlin Dolan (Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and her mother Kathy Waddicor (Adolescent Medicine)
Sisters Michelle Audain (MSICU) and Pascale Audain (MICU)
Pat Pratt (Nursing Director of Patient Services — Procedure Units) and her daughter Amy Sparrow (Center for Motility and Functional Disorders)
Paula Conrad (MICU) and her niec...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 8, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jenny Fernandez Tags: Caregivers nursing Source Type: news
Step by step: Sloane ’s incredible journey with laryngeal cleft
Like most first graders, Sloane has a jam-packed schedule, filled with fun activities such as dancing, ice skating and playing tennis. But every now and then, this busy girl needs to take a break, even if that simply means taking her time to sip a glass of water. “I remind her that, sometimes, she needs to slow down,” says her mom, Tarra.Resisting the urge to rush has been a familiar theme for Sloane and her parents ever since she was born — although, ironically, she arrived in a hurry. Tarra had experienced a placental abruption, requiring an emergency C-section. Things only got more complicated. After Tarra had str...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 4, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Center for Airway Disorders Dr. Reza Rahbar laryngeal cleft Source Type: news
Carrying Savanna through her journey with cloacal malformation
When two-year-old Savanna Bluford enters Boston Children’s Colorectal and Pelvic Malformation Center, she quickly gravitates toward the waiting room’s interactive light board. Sporting pigtails, sparkly sneakers and an angelic smile, the playful toddler’s attention quickly turns to her doctor — the Center’s Co-Director Dr. Belinda Dickie. The two light up with smiles and exchange hugs as if old friends — and that, they are.
Savanna was born in South Carolina with a rare and complex birth defect affecting the gastrointestinal, urological and reproductive systems.
The condition, called covered cloacal malformatio...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 3, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Maureen McCarthy Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Belinda Dickie cloacal malformation Colorectal and Pelvic Malformation Center Leonel Rodriguez Source Type: news
Prenatal diagnosis sets James up for success
I remember it like yesterday. Pregnant with my first child, I went to my 9-week scheduled ultrasound not really knowing what to expect. I heard a little baby’s heartbeat in my belly! I was blown away.
When you go for your 18-week ultrasound, make sure your baby’s heart is checked. A simple scan can change everything. ~ Elizabeth
At the 18-week scan, it appeared that the baby only had one kidney. The doctor seemed to think that everything else was normal, but he told me I had the option to make an appointment at Boston Children’s Hospital for a fetal echocardiogram. My husband had to work that day, so my...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 2, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Elizabeth Swift Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Andrew Powell Fetal Cardiology Program Francis Fynn-Thompson Heart Center Pulmonary atresia Tetralogy of Fallot tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia ultrasound Source Type: news
Sleepy teen finds relief in narcolepsy diagnosis
For as long as Maeve Sheehy can remember, she’s had short spells of feeling like she was about to fall over.
“It wasn’t like feeling faint, it was more like my knees would buckle underneath me,” says Maeve, now 16. “I would instinctually try to keep from falling by bracing myself.”
Sometimes the bracing didn’t work and Maeve would topple over. If she was with friends, she’d pretend she had tripped, to cover it up. But she secretly worried something was wrong with her. When she tried to explain the falling feeling to her parents and doctors, she was told she was probably dehydrated.
More mysterious symptoms
...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 2, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ellen Greenlaw Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders Dr. Eric Zhou Dr. Kiran Maski Narcolepsy Source Type: news
Milestones made possible #becauseofadonor
There are more than 80 children currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants at Boston Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Transplant Center team is grateful for the donors who give these kids a second chance.
Meet Maggie.
The 20-year-old received her first double-lung transplant at 4 years old and her second at 7 years old. #becauseofadonor, Maggie is able to go to college.
Meet Tom.
At 15 years old, he received a liver transplant. #becauseofadonor, Tom, now 22, is able to run the Boston Marathon.
Meet Aaron.
The 10-year-old received his heart transplant at just 1 year old. #becauseofadonor, Aaron was ab...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - May 1, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Emily Williams Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Donate life double lung transplant heart transplant Heart transplant program Liver transplant Liver Transplant Program Lung Transplant Program National Donate Life Month organ donation Pediatric Transplant Cente Source Type: news
Ask the Mediatrician: Should I let my child watch ’13 Reasons Why’?
My daughter is 13. Her friends in middle school have recently become obsessed with the Netflix show, “13 Reasons Why.” I haven’t read the book or watched the show, but have been seeing a few news articles that worry me that the show may be dangerous for kids to watch graphic depictions of suicide, bullying and forced sex. My daughter feels that it is only “drama” (in the teen use of the word), and she’s been feeling left out of the conversation with her friends. Is it ok for me to let her watch it? ~ Just One Reason Why Not, USA
Dear Just,
Your question is timely. Many parents (and educators, judging f...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - April 30, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Michael Rich MD MPH Tags: Mental Health Parenting Teen Health Ask the Mediatrician Depression suicide Source Type: news
No gluten, no problem
Twelve years ago – at ages 5 and 3 – we were diagnosed with celiac disease. This means for the rest of our lives, we can’t eat any gluten whatsoever because it damages our intestines and we become really sick.
Celiac disease is a lifelong intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats contaminated with gluten from other products. In people with celiac disease, gluten damages the lining of the intestines. This can prevent them from absorbing nutrients and cause a variety of other symptoms. CD is always treatable by changes in diet.
Some people don’t eat gluten by choice, but for us, there is ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - April 26, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Emma and Abby Frank Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories celiac disease Dr. Dascha Weir Source Type: news
A new life for Lynkin after encephalocele surgery
When you meet Lynkin Bell, the first things you notice are her big personality and chubby cheeks. You might also see how she adores her brother Lukis and hamming it up for the camera. But you’d never guess that this playful 14-month-old from Texas wasn’t expected to survive, never mind talk, stand or play peekaboo like a pro.
And yet, thanks to her parents’ faith and persistence — and surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital — Lynkin can do all those things, and lots more, with the gusto befitting any toddler her age.
“It’s a miracle,” says Kaylen Gaston, Lynkin’s mom. “We were told so many times she wou...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - April 24, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ellen Greenlaw Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Craniofacial Program Dr. John Meara Dr. Mark Proctor encephalocele Source Type: news
Ask the expert: What is the female athlete triad and how can it be prevented?
The spring athletics season is in full swing and for those at the high school and college level, practices and game schedules can be intense. When you blend this physical commitment with the demands of a hectic academic schedule, sometimes maintaining healthy eating habits and positive energy balance can be challenging.
Dr. Kathryn Ackerman, medical director of Boston Children’s Female Athlete Program, shares important information about a condition called the female athlete triad and offers tools to keep young athletes healthy, energized and at the top of their game.
What is the female athlete triad?
The female ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - April 21, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Maureen McCarthy Tags: Ask the Expert Female Athlete Program female athlete triad Kathryn Ackerman Source Type: news
He lost his sight to cancer, but not his vision of a full life
When Tim Conners collected his wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2012 at the age of 18, he was blind from childhood leukemia that had spread to his optic nerve and craving inspiration to transcend his disability. A football player and wrestler who’d never been an outdoorsman, he asked to meet Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on seven continents.
Tim’s wish came true. He had 2½ terrifying but transformative days of outdoor adventures in Colorado with Erik, who lost his sight to a degenerative eye disorder at 13.
Now Tim is training to climb Mount Kili...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - April 20, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Irene Sege Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center stem cell transplant Source Type: news
A life taken. A life given. A life shared.
Kaitlyn and Hannah
When she read the article in the Cape Cod Times about the 11-year-old girl who underwent a life-saving liver transplant, Melissa Dunphe knew.
“Too many pieces fit for it not to be.”
She knew that the child, who was at the same hospital on the same floor on the same day, had to be the one who received her five-year-old daughter Kaitlyn’s liver.
Five years earlier, at eight months old, Kaitlyn was in a car accident that left her without the use of her limbs and unable to breathe on her own.
During her short life, her parents made moments matter.
“She was a very happy child,” her mom Melissa says....
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - April 19, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Emily Williams Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Donate life Donate life month Liver transplant Liver Transplant Program National Donate Life Month organ donation organ donor Pediatric Transplant Center (PTC) Source Type: news
