September 19, 2006
Dear Doctors, Nurses and Staff of Boston Children’s Hospital,
On July 3, 2006 our family began the hardest journey we have ever taken. That was the day that we took our then 10 ½ month old daughter, Alexandra to see Dr. Peter Raffalli after insisting to her pediatrician that we were sure something was not quite right with her development. She was already in an early intervention program for her gross motor delays, and while we were seeing progress, we were still concerned. Honestly expecting Dr. Raffalli to look her over and tell us she was fine, we were stunned to hear him tell us that the hemangioma on her lower back, the same hemangioma that several doctors had seen and assured us was nothing but a birthmark, could be a marker for spina bifida or tethered cord syndrome. While assuring us that the possibility was rare, he insisted that we do a bit of blood work and send her to Boston for an MRI.
It was from that very moment that I truly realized how blessed we are to have Children’s Hospital in our backyard. We did take Lexi to have not only an MRI, but an echocardiogram as well. Both experiences were trying, as parents, but also amazingly comforting. Every doctor, nurse, and staff we met along the way were comforting, patient, kind, and professional. We never felt rushed, pressured into doing things we were not comfortable with, or ignored. Dr. Raffalli called us with the results of the MRI the same day of the test. The results showed that Lexi had a “fatty filum” which was causing her cord to be tethered. Dr. Raffalli spent several minutes on the phone with me, explaining the findings, and what the next steps should be. He then referred us to the best neurosurgeon in the world (at least we think so!), Dr. Edward Smith. Within a few weeks we were in Dr. Smith’s office where he explained to us the risks and benefits of repairing the tethered cord surgically. While no parent wants to send their child into an operating room for any reason, much less neurosurgery, Dr. Smith made us feel incredible comfortable with our decision to go ahead with the surgery. Further diagnostic tests and the surgery were all scheduled within three weeks of our first appointment with Dr. Smith!
The day of Lexi’s surgery was by far the most difficult day of our lives. The nurses in the pre-op area did a fantastic job preparing us for what was ahead, and answering all of our questions. The morning of the surgery, while I was weak with worry, every member of the surgical team came in to introduce themselves to our family…what an INCREDIBLE comfort knowing every person who will be by your child’s side during their operation! I was allowed to carry Lexi into the operating room and hold her as she fell asleep. While that was so hard, I remember how kind the anesthesiologist was as she told me that I did a great job, and was so helpful to them. After we were escorted to the waiting area, I was so thrilled to know that there was yet another team of nurses who had the ability to call the operating room any time I needed an update! I can’t think of a way to make a parent more comfortable!!! I will never forget seeing Dr. Smith’s face peek through the glass of the waiting area, with a great smile on his face. I practically knocked him over when he came in to tell us how the operation went. The surgery was a great success, and before long we were allowed into the PACU to hold Lexi’s hand as she woke up. Not surprising, at this point, the nurses in the PACU were fantastic as well!! They were so kind, asking us about Lexi, helping us to make sure she was comfortable, and getting us to our room as soon as possible.
Once in our room on 9 North, Mary Lynne greeted us warmly, first making sure that Lexi was okay and then making sure we were okay. She told us where we could find things to make us comfortable, and also told us that we could both stay with Lexi during the night, immediately allaying one of my biggest concerns. From that moment on we were surround by fantastic nurses for the rest of our stay – Amerika, Amy, Jodi, Jill and Mary Lynne took such great care of us, that we were almost sad to go…almost. J While we were there for just over 48 hours, we were visited four times by the neurosurgery team, twice by Dr. Smith himself, and twice by the resident neurosurgeon when we had minor concerns. Anytime we had a question or concern the nurses, as well as other staff on the floor, were in our room immediately with a smile on their face, ready to help us. It was truly the best experience I could imagine having in a hospital.
Since the surgery Lexi has been amazing! It was about 48 hours before she was right back to her old tricks of crawling around, laughing, pointing, etc. When I’ve had minor concerns, Dr. Smith has responded immediately with the kindest and most comforting demeanor. We have no doubt that we made the right decision, and we are so thankful to everyone who was there along the way.
While we were waiting for the operation the morning of the surgery, a nun came in and said a prayer for Lexi. Part of her prayer said “...today his hands (referring to Dr. Smith) are Your hands…” I truly feel that all of you, at Children’s Hospital, have been blessed to do incredible work for children. And we, the parents of every child who has set foot inside that hospital, are blessed to be touched by you.
Thank you for everything that you have done, and continue to do for our family. You will forever be in our hearts!!
With love,
Crissy, Ahren and Lexi Lippman, and family
Dear Doctors, Nurses and Staff of Boston Children’s Hospital,
On July 3, 2006 our family began the hardest journey we have ever taken. That was the day that we took our then 10 ½ month old daughter, Alexandra to see Dr. Peter Raffalli after insisting to her pediatrician that we were sure something was not quite right with her development. She was already in an early intervention program for her gross motor delays, and while we were seeing progress, we were still concerned. Honestly expecting Dr. Raffalli to look her over and tell us she was fine, we were stunned to hear him tell us that the hemangioma on her lower back, the same hemangioma that several doctors had seen and assured us was nothing but a birthmark, could be a marker for spina bifida or tethered cord syndrome. While assuring us that the possibility was rare, he insisted that we do a bit of blood work and send her to Boston for an MRI.
It was from that very moment that I truly realized how blessed we are to have Children’s Hospital in our backyard. We did take Lexi to have not only an MRI, but an echocardiogram as well. Both experiences were trying, as parents, but also amazingly comforting. Every doctor, nurse, and staff we met along the way were comforting, patient, kind, and professional. We never felt rushed, pressured into doing things we were not comfortable with, or ignored. Dr. Raffalli called us with the results of the MRI the same day of the test. The results showed that Lexi had a “fatty filum” which was causing her cord to be tethered. Dr. Raffalli spent several minutes on the phone with me, explaining the findings, and what the next steps should be. He then referred us to the best neurosurgeon in the world (at least we think so!), Dr. Edward Smith. Within a few weeks we were in Dr. Smith’s office where he explained to us the risks and benefits of repairing the tethered cord surgically. While no parent wants to send their child into an operating room for any reason, much less neurosurgery, Dr. Smith made us feel incredible comfortable with our decision to go ahead with the surgery. Further diagnostic tests and the surgery were all scheduled within three weeks of our first appointment with Dr. Smith!
The day of Lexi’s surgery was by far the most difficult day of our lives. The nurses in the pre-op area did a fantastic job preparing us for what was ahead, and answering all of our questions. The morning of the surgery, while I was weak with worry, every member of the surgical team came in to introduce themselves to our family…what an INCREDIBLE comfort knowing every person who will be by your child’s side during their operation! I was allowed to carry Lexi into the operating room and hold her as she fell asleep. While that was so hard, I remember how kind the anesthesiologist was as she told me that I did a great job, and was so helpful to them. After we were escorted to the waiting area, I was so thrilled to know that there was yet another team of nurses who had the ability to call the operating room any time I needed an update! I can’t think of a way to make a parent more comfortable!!! I will never forget seeing Dr. Smith’s face peek through the glass of the waiting area, with a great smile on his face. I practically knocked him over when he came in to tell us how the operation went. The surgery was a great success, and before long we were allowed into the PACU to hold Lexi’s hand as she woke up. Not surprising, at this point, the nurses in the PACU were fantastic as well!! They were so kind, asking us about Lexi, helping us to make sure she was comfortable, and getting us to our room as soon as possible.
Once in our room on 9 North, Mary Lynne greeted us warmly, first making sure that Lexi was okay and then making sure we were okay. She told us where we could find things to make us comfortable, and also told us that we could both stay with Lexi during the night, immediately allaying one of my biggest concerns. From that moment on we were surround by fantastic nurses for the rest of our stay – Amerika, Amy, Jodi, Jill and Mary Lynne took such great care of us, that we were almost sad to go…almost. J While we were there for just over 48 hours, we were visited four times by the neurosurgery team, twice by Dr. Smith himself, and twice by the resident neurosurgeon when we had minor concerns. Anytime we had a question or concern the nurses, as well as other staff on the floor, were in our room immediately with a smile on their face, ready to help us. It was truly the best experience I could imagine having in a hospital.
Since the surgery Lexi has been amazing! It was about 48 hours before she was right back to her old tricks of crawling around, laughing, pointing, etc. When I’ve had minor concerns, Dr. Smith has responded immediately with the kindest and most comforting demeanor. We have no doubt that we made the right decision, and we are so thankful to everyone who was there along the way.
While we were waiting for the operation the morning of the surgery, a nun came in and said a prayer for Lexi. Part of her prayer said “...today his hands (referring to Dr. Smith) are Your hands…” I truly feel that all of you, at Children’s Hospital, have been blessed to do incredible work for children. And we, the parents of every child who has set foot inside that hospital, are blessed to be touched by you.
Thank you for everything that you have done, and continue to do for our family. You will forever be in our hearts!!
With love,
Crissy, Ahren and Lexi Lippman, and family
No comments:
Post a Comment