Summerlin ICU 8/29/08 - 11/25/08
On Friday, October 24, 2008, MayRose was seen at the prediatrician's office who had failed to perform the blood tests that they were instructed to perform two months prior which would have identified that she was not producing red blood cells. The pediatrician was informed by MayRose's mother and nanny that MayRose had been making unusual cries as if she were in pain, and that the mother was concerned that she might have the flu, since MayRose's brother had vomitted earlier that week. Often, premature infants don't manifest regular symptoms if they develop a viral infection. Incessent crying is a strong indicator that something is wrong. Instead of recognizing the potential dangers, and admitting MayRose to the hospital for immediate testing, the pediatrician diagnosed MayRose as being constipated, recommended a change of diet, and prescribed reflux medicine. Although blood testing was finally ordered on this date, it was not identified as an emergency, so the turn around time was three working days - one day too late to save MayRose from suffering diffuse brain damage from anemic shock.
On October 29, 2008, the Tuesday following her Friday pediatrician visit, MayRose was rushed to Summerlin ICU. She had a hemoglobin of 1.5, a level usually found in the deceased. As her mother had unsuccessfully pointed out to the pediatrician the prior Friday, MayRose also had influenza B, which had progressed into a double psnemonia. After three months of not producing red blood cells as a result of her undiagnosed medical condition of Diamond Blackfan Anemia, MayRose almost died.
Although MayRose miraculously survived, she remained in the hospital for four weeks. She suffered diffuse brain damage while in anemic shock which has resulted in developmental delays, silent seizures, cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment (she has been diagnosed as being legally blind). Additionally, the consulting Hematologists could not figure out why her red blood count continued the drop. They started her on a course of steroids, which were initially successful. Steroids, however, significantly stunt growth. Continued steroids given during infancy can cause growth defects. Later, when MayRose was admitted to Denver Children's Hospital to address her diffuse brain damage, the Hemotolgists diagnosed her as having Diamond Blackfan Anemia.
Shortly prior to her discharge from Summerlin Hospital ICU, it was discovered that MayRose had suffered diffuse brain damage. Two prior CT Scan had reflected that her brain was normal prior to her admission, including the scan done on the day of her admission. Often, however, when the brain has been injured, the injuries don't show up on a CT Scan for a couple of days. As a result of MayRose's failure to track people's movements, a second CT Scan was ordered during her stay which revealed the brain injury.
When the consulting Neurologist was asked what could be done for MayRose, she stated that brain damage is irreparable, and did not provide any guidance about how MayRose's caregivers should proceed. Later that week, MayRose's caregivers discovered through independant research and consultations that some states (not Nevada where they lived) have inpatient pediatric rehabilitation centers where rehabilitation doctors (Physiatrists), use a combination of medicine and rehabilitation to maximize a child's recovery from brain injury. Through the asistance of coworkers, MayRose's mother located the Denver Children's Hospital Rehabilitation Inpatient Care Center.
On October 29, 2008, the Tuesday following her Friday pediatrician visit, MayRose was rushed to Summerlin ICU. She had a hemoglobin of 1.5, a level usually found in the deceased. As her mother had unsuccessfully pointed out to the pediatrician the prior Friday, MayRose also had influenza B, which had progressed into a double psnemonia. After three months of not producing red blood cells as a result of her undiagnosed medical condition of Diamond Blackfan Anemia, MayRose almost died.
Although MayRose miraculously survived, she remained in the hospital for four weeks. She suffered diffuse brain damage while in anemic shock which has resulted in developmental delays, silent seizures, cerebral palsy and cortical visual impairment (she has been diagnosed as being legally blind). Additionally, the consulting Hematologists could not figure out why her red blood count continued the drop. They started her on a course of steroids, which were initially successful. Steroids, however, significantly stunt growth. Continued steroids given during infancy can cause growth defects. Later, when MayRose was admitted to Denver Children's Hospital to address her diffuse brain damage, the Hemotolgists diagnosed her as having Diamond Blackfan Anemia.
Shortly prior to her discharge from Summerlin Hospital ICU, it was discovered that MayRose had suffered diffuse brain damage. Two prior CT Scan had reflected that her brain was normal prior to her admission, including the scan done on the day of her admission. Often, however, when the brain has been injured, the injuries don't show up on a CT Scan for a couple of days. As a result of MayRose's failure to track people's movements, a second CT Scan was ordered during her stay which revealed the brain injury.
When the consulting Neurologist was asked what could be done for MayRose, she stated that brain damage is irreparable, and did not provide any guidance about how MayRose's caregivers should proceed. Later that week, MayRose's caregivers discovered through independant research and consultations that some states (not Nevada where they lived) have inpatient pediatric rehabilitation centers where rehabilitation doctors (Physiatrists), use a combination of medicine and rehabilitation to maximize a child's recovery from brain injury. Through the asistance of coworkers, MayRose's mother located the Denver Children's Hospital Rehabilitation Inpatient Care Center.