A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
The beginning was like any other summer day of playful fun on a trampoline for Camryn. They were attending a graduation party. They had gone on to another grad party following this one and soon her mom Tracie noticed her girl walking with a limp as she passed by.
"What's wrong?" asked Tracie.
Her little girl answered, "I really don't feel good and I just want to go home." So they went home and suggested a shower might help her to feel better with the warm water on her muscles. She thought maybe she over-played and that caused the sore muscles. But each day came with more symptoms such as being very warm and still not feeling well. More changes came and caused more concern. By Sunday evening, they realized the hospital is where she should be seen. The hospital examined Camryn for various suspected infections such as strep throat and sore knee. There they gave her Motrin for pain and she became sick to her stomach. The month was August and each day came with more discomfort. Tracie took Camryn back to MMH but at this point had to carry her in because of her inability to walk on her own. They wrapped her knee and still couldn't pin-point the problem. They returned home and that night, Camryn became worse with a lot of pain.
The next day Tracie brought Camryn to the St. Regis Health Clinic and saw Dr. Lynch, the visiting physician. After his examination of Camryn, he really didn't feel that her problem was her leg, but instead, in her hip. He wanted to have her get an MRI and the options were of two. She could either take her to Malone at 2:00 or to Massena at 4:00. As they saw the increased amount of pain in Camryn, the earlier choice of an MRI was better. The Doctor sent the orders to them and Tracie was on her way with Camryn to Malone Hospital. Dr. Lynch stayed to wait for the results and as soon as he heard, Tracie was called to go back to the hospital. The Doctor ordered to have the technician re-read the results. His suspicion was true. The results showed all the criteria for a hip infection.
Off to Burlington they went and on the way, Camryn was given pain meds to ease her ride in the ambulance. Tracie remembers how it was when they arrived at the hospital and when Camryn was taken in.
"Those doctors and many nurses were ready for Camryn's arrival." Everyone moved so quickly to get her situated and prepped, in fast motion like in the movies. Tracie's days seemed to be in confusion and not remembering what day it was and not getting sleep because her main concern was for her little girl. Total exhaustion set in; Camryn's first surgery took place at that point. More waiting and still not sleeping right.
"The nurses came to check on us often," Tracie remembered. Nurses ready to ease and comfort and to offer food. Then the realization of these hard working professionals, being awake and making a difference in the lives of others.
"They were so incredibly compassionate to us all the time we were there. It hit me so hard that while we are sleeping, there are these doctors and nurses who work all night to continue helping others in so many ways," said Tracie.
This was all such an emotional time having to watch Camryn go through the most difficult times. Tracie began to ask herself, "What did I do wrong.... how did I miss this...I have failed," shared Tracie. Self-blaming is a natural part of it and along with it comes the crying.
"At a time when Camryn's second surgery was approaching, her dad and I really felt so bad to see her in so much pain as they wheeled her away," said Tracie. "Camryn was crying so hard and saying loudly, 'I don't want to.' We were so upset at seeing her that way and a nurse came along and asked us to go inside a room with her. She closed the door and she said, 'That is the way you want to see her, that means she is a fighter and she'll come out of that surgery as a fighter. When children go in quiet, that means they are so scared,' said the nurse." Tracie said that's what she needed to hear to make her strong for her Camryn.
After her surgery, everything got super tough. Camryn had to be intubated, which required 24 hours with a nurse to be monitored and added much more care. The nurses had done so much for Camryn over the length of time she was there and it was wonderful all the friendships she made. They even made a poster for her door so that everyone that came, including the doctors and nurses, could get to know her better. It showed her picture, her likes, her best friends, songs and movies. It showed that she wasn't just a patient but a young person they could get to know. Tracie and the rest of her family were happy with the care and friends she made at the hospital. The nurses made it fun and she had a favourite nurse named Morgan.
"They took care of us too, while she was there."
Camryn also has good memories from her stay. One is about her favorite food being wonton soup, and her Bubba would get it in Cornwall and bring it to her at the hospital. Another was when a nurse would bring in her meds and say, "I have your wonton soup," so she would take it readily. When they moved Camryn to the Pediatrics, the nurses were phenomenal.
"They made everything fun to help her heal. They had a way of making her do stuff and they were attentive to us. The nurses played a huge part in Camryn's healing." Tracie said, "We as a people of Ahkwesahsne are family oriented people...well, that hospital is like our community away from home."
Tracie and her family want to thank Dr. Lynch for saving her little girl's life and the Malone Hospital for figuring out the problem. To the UVM Orthopedic Team, Infectious Team and Pain Management, thank you to all of you.
When Camryn and her family were leaving the hospital, they left the staff with homemade memories to show their appreciation to them. When Camryn left after 6 1/2 weeks, it was both sad and a happy day for all. Many hugs and thanks were given.
Camryn has dealt with so much since the onset of her illness and now continues her recovery of her hip infection. She saw so many things during her hospital stay and met so many children who are ill. She will never forget the generosity of so many people of her community. With part of the funds raised for her, and many thanks to this community, she has learned also to help others. Camryn wanted to help another eight-year-old girl from Ahkwesahsne as the community helped her.
After she came home from the hospital and went back to school, she said, "I just want to be an eight-year-old little girl again to do all that my friends do." Of course she has limitations so she doesn't over-do it physically while healing. Camryn had a big desire to Shawl Dance with her friends on her own and out of her chair. Her mom hesitated at first but gave in on a deal with her daughter. Camryn promised that she would get lots of rest afterwards. So they all danced and her wish was fulfilled...along with many cheers and tears for her from her audience. She danced and she became a normal eight-year-old again.
Niawen to all the nurses for caring, we appreciate you!
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