Helping kids get fit — one step at a time
Families participating in Fitness in the City (FIC), a partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital, get referrals to resources and educational offerings like this cooking class.
“How many tortillas do you eat at dinner?” Francisca Guevara asks the boy and his parents. “Okay,” she says when they tell her three. “Do you think you could eat two instead? Or even just one?” They nod in agreement: That seems possible.
As the associate director of community health and outreach for Charles River Community Health, Guevara recognizes the need to meet families where they are, tailoring her suggestions to fit their t...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - January 4, 2018 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Health & Wellness Parenting Fitness in the City (FIC) Office of Community Health Shari Nethersole Source Type: news
New year. New lungs.
I’ve had asthma and chronic lung disease since I was very young. I had to use everything — from my head to my toes — to help me breathe. I remember being able to hear myself wheezing, to feel my lungs rattling. I had marks all over my face from my oxygen mask. I thought I would never be clear of mucus and never be able to walk without being out of breath.
All I ever wanted was to breathe.
I spent so much energy trying to breathe that I didn’t have much left for eating, so I was really skinny. I spent a lot of time in a wheelchair. When I was able to walk, it would be for short distances and my shoulders would slouc...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - January 3, 2018 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ndeye "Fatou" Seck Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories chronic lung disease double lung transplant Francis Fynn-Thompson Gary Visner Lung Transplant Program Pediatric Transplant Center (PTC) Source Type: news
Striking a balance: Charlie ’s recovery from neonatal stroke
“Hey, Charlie,” says Dr. Michael Rivkin as he gently dangles a small rubber ducky in front of the little boy. “Would you like this?” A wide smile breaks out across the toddler’s face. Why yes, he certainly would like that duck. He reaches and grasps at it, closing his tiny fingers around the toy.
For Charlie Strzempek, it’s nothing more than a playful act. But for his parents, Kathleen and Tom, it’s a major accomplishment. Dr. Rivkin isn’t simply offering his patient a toy. He’s testing his ability to grab and hold an object in his right hand — the side of his body affected by a neonatal stroke.
A shin...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 27, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Dr. Michael Rivkin Julie Croteau occupational therapy stroke Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center Source Type: news
Four moving forward, following living donation
Many children wait months — and sometimes years — for a transplant, but thanks to the generosity of living donors, some kids don’t have to wait. Read about the lives and futures of four children saved by living donation.
Helping Sloan live up to her name
Without Lt. Steve Tenney, 7-month-old Sloan wouldn’t be nursing, beginning to roll over on her own or meeting other milestones. “I did what anyone would have done,” says Tenney, who donated a piece of his liver when Sloan was only 5 months old.
“Sloan means ‘warrior,’” her mom, Sarah says. “We didn’t think she’d need to be a warrior at such a you...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 21, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Emily Williams Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories kidney transplant Kidney Transplant Program Liver transplant Liver Transplant Program living donation living donor pediatric transplant Pediatric Transplant Center (PTC) Source Type: news
The gift of being heard
When Keira Kelley started collapsing shortly after her first birthday, her parents were terrified. But what was almost as upsetting was the feeling that no one believed something was actually wrong with their daughter.
“The first time it happened, she tripped over a chair and was unconscious and grey,” says Kate, her mom. “My husband thought she was gone. He called 911, and when the EMTs arrived she started to come to. They thought maybe she had the wind knocked out of her.”
The Kelleys took her to urgent care near their home in Norwood, but she seemed okay, so they chalked it up to a one-time fluke.
Another episod...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 19, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ellen Greenlaw Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Dr. Doug Mah Dr. Kathy Jenkins Electrophysiology Service pacemaker Pacemaker and ICD Program Source Type: news
Reading to teach and heal: More books for 8-12 year olds
The holiday season is a time to reflect, find gratitude and show kindness, especially to those who may be struggling. It’s also a great time to escape the chaos and hunker down with a good book.
Why not do both?
Today, there are more and more books about children and teens coping with physical and mental health issues that help young readers empathize with these characters but also relate, especially if they’re faced with a similar condition. We’ve selected five books that will not only make great gifts for the kids on your list, but also will stay with them long after those holiday decorations are put away.
Sw...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 15, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Patty Lenz Bovie Tags: Parenting autism clubfoot dyslexia eating disorder OCD Source Type: news
Isaac ’s story: A ‘new normal’ with short bowel syndrome
It was the morning after their baby son Isaac had come home from the hospital, and Jennifer and Brian Campbell were performing the same sweet act of bonding as many new parents: giving him a bath in the sink. But as they maneuvered around the room, they suddenly realized something was very wrong. “I fell to the floor and started screaming and crying as formula shot out of his stomach,” remembers Jennifer. “I thought we’d broken him.”
The reality, of course, was that the Campbells were simply adjusting to their new “normal” — something any parent of a medically complex child can understand. Isaac wasn’t a ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 14, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation cerebral palsy Dr. Christopher Duggan Dr. Mark Puder Dr. Tom Jaksic necrotizing enterocolitis short bowel syndrome (SBS). Source Type: news
Makayla ’s story: Living with Leri-Weill Dyschondrosteosis
Our daughter Makayla was born perfectly healthy on April 5th, 2014, passing all of the usual newborn screenings without issue. From day one, her personality shone through. She was strong-willed and had a smile that would light up her eyes before her mouth even showed a hint of joy. But over the next 3 months, Makayla wasn’t eating well and wasn’t gaining enough weight. Our pediatrician referred us to Dr. Elizabeth Hait, a gastroenterologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hait would change Makayla’s formula multiple times and put her on medication for her acid reflux. Her pediatrician also tested her for a mil...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 12, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Kerri Theriault Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Division of Endocrinology Dr. James Kasser Dr. Travis Matheney hip dysplasia Orthopedic Center Otolaryngology Department Source Type: news
Three simple ways we can all help prevent gun violence
We are coming up on the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, in which a young man opened fire on a classroom of first-graders, killing 20 of them and 6 adults — after having killed his mother at home. While nothing can eclipse this tragedy, since then there have been many more tragedies, such as the shooting in Las Vegas, the church shooting in Texas and the recent shooting in Northern California where, thanks to the quick actions of the staff of a local elementary school, the shooter’s attempts to enter the school were foiled. He shot through the windows instead, injuring a child.
In 2014, more than 33 thousa...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 11, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Claire McCarthy Tags: Ask the Expert Kids' Safety Claire McCarthy MD Gun safety Source Type: news
Caroline ’s life-changing backpack
Caroline at a recent appointment getting her height and weight checked
When it comes to being active, there is no stopping Caroline Spaulding. Whether speaking on behalf of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) legislation on Capitol Hill, performing in a ballet recital or lacing up her cleats for a soccer game, Caroline, 13, is a force to be reckoned with.
Her strong sense of determination is what carried her through her Crohn’s disease diagnosis and the 12-week, formula-only treatment plan — exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) — that followed.
“When I was nine years old, I stopped growing and started losing weight,” C...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 8, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Maureen McCarthy Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Bridget Hron Crohn's disease Exclusive Enteral Nutrition Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center Jocelyn Silvester Naamah Zitomersky Source Type: news
Bouncing back: Nolan ’s life after stroke
Although he’s only a little over a year old, Nolan Morel is a bona fide charmer. Clad in a red shirt and navy blue suspenders, he flashes a happy grin at his mother, Rosalia; his physician, Dr. Laura Lehman; and the others in the room. “Look at those dimples!” someone coos, and he giggles in response. “I can’t believe how social he’s being,” laughs Rosalia. “He wasn’t always like this.”
In fact, Nolan’s first several days of life were anything but lighthearted. Just a few hours after his birth at a hospital north of Boston, he stopped breathing and had to be manually resuscitated and given oxygen. Whe...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 7, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories child life Dr. Laura Lehman feeding therapy occupational therapy physical therapy stroke Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center Source Type: news
Lauren ’s story: How roller derby saved my life
I wasn’t a particularly athletic child. The second day of soccer practice, in sixth grade, we had to run laps around the soccer field, and 10-year-old me said, “I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack!” My coach disagreed. I quit. That much running was not for me.
Fifteen years later, at age 25, I had not only joined a roller derby league, but had also worked my way up to doing contact drills at practice in just three months. I felt incredible! I felt powerful! I felt unstoppable… until I went into cardiac arrest at a Thursday night practice this past July.
A lost two days
I woke up the following Sunday at D...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 6, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Lauren Simano Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories ALCAPA Boston Adult Congenital Heart Program Coronary Artery Program Dr. Luis Quinonez Source Type: news
Daughter ’s neurosurgery inspires mom to give back
Danielle Parkman isn’t a doctor or nurse. In fact, she’s not a clinician of any kind. And yet every day she makes the lives of patients in the Boston Children’s Hospital Division of Pulmonary and Respiratory Diseases a little bit easier.
As the Senior Administrative Associate for Pharmaceutical Benefits and Prior Authorization Specialist, Danielle is responsible for getting approvals for pharmacy benefits and prior authorizations for all pulmonology patients. It’s a daunting task, but she doesn’t take no for an answer.
“I love my job, and I love fighting for my patients,” says Danielle. “I know I’m making...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 5, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ellen Greenlaw Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Department of Neurology Division of Pulmonary and Respiratory Diseases Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus Program Source Type: news
Whatever it takes: Fighting for Michael
Michael stood at the top of the hill, staring down at the glittering white snow. The prospect of skiing to the bottom was scary — on previous trips, he’d refused to try, worried that he would fall. But this time was different. He was ready to take a chance. Attempting to balance without using poles, he pushed himself forward and glided through the powder as his family cheered him on. By the end of the day, the 8-year-old had sailed down the slopes five times, all by himself.
The accomplishment was even more meaningful for his parents, Bill and Lisa Smith, who have watched him fight to survive — and thrive — since h...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - November 30, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jessica Cerretani Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation Dr. Tom Jaksic G-J tube Hale Center for Families short bowel syndrome (SBS). volvulus Source Type: news
Prepared for the unexpected: How Henri beat C. diff
Henri and his sister, Lucienne
From the time he was born, Henri has been very reactive — to everything.
As a baby, he was allergic to milk and soy, which led to weeping eczema all over his body. His allergies meant frequent ear infections and sinus infections.
As a toddler, he was anemic and underweight. He had two urinary tract infections (UTIs) with fevers.
At age 3, he had a circumcision because of the repeated UTIs.
At age 4, a sinus infection spread to his eye orbit. Every sunscreen on the market gave him (and still gives him) a rash.
At age 5, a bug bite on his ear led to a cartilage infection that required antibio...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - November 29, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Marie Vedder Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories C-diff fecal transplant gastroenterology Lori Zimmerman Sonia Ballal Source Type: news
