It's About Children - Issue 1, 2016 by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

29711

CPR class for parents and teens age 14 and older

Safe Sitter class for children ages 11 to 14

MAYAPR.

MAY

JUN.

6 to 10 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza BuildingClass costs $25.Visit www.etch.com/healthykids to register. Learn CPR so you can respond to emergencies in your home.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza BuildingClass costs $25.Visit www.etch.com/healthykids to register. Learn correct babysitting techniques, emergency responses and how to use babysitting as a business.

Mark Your Calendar

2 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2016

9Color Me Rad 5KAPR.9 a.m. Knoxville Civic Auditorium-Coliseum Registration is $40 until April 1, $45 until April 7 and $50 the day of the race.Use the code CHILDREN5K to save 5 percent and have 15 percent go to Children’s Hospital. Visit www.colormerad.com/location/knoxville to register. Proceeds go toward the purchase of medical equipment at the hospital.

12

4

18 Made with Love

Back to Brody

Close to home

Wanda Kilpatrick and Judy Payne are dedicated to providing comforting items to our patients and their families through knitting and crocheting.

Brody Hamilton ran cross country seven months aft er he had brain surgery. Learn about his journey back to his active lifestyle.

Meet Arian, a normal 18-year-old girl diagnosed with an uncommon form of cancer who stayed in East Ten-nessee for her treatment.

It’s About Children is a publication of the Marketing Department at

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.Editor: Jessica Boyd

Designer: Deborah HostermanCover photo by Michael Dayah

Connect with us:www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

[email protected]

Spotlight

9

9

1411

25

Dancing with theKnoxville Stars

MEDIC blood drive

Car seat inspectionsAPR.

APR.

MAY

JUN.

MAY.

6 to 10 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza BuildingClass costs $25.Visit www.etch.com/healthykids to register. Learn CPR so you can respond to emergencies in your home.

7 p.m. at the Grande Event Center Sponsorship table prices range from $2,000 to $12,000; additional tables are $400 to $500; general seating is $60 per ticket.

7 a.m. to 4 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza BuildingIt’s free.Call 865-541-8165 for more information. All blood used at Children’s Hospital is provided through MEDIC. One donation can help up to three people. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and have an ID.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Knoxville Police Department, 917 East Fifth Ave., KnoxvilleIt’s free.You don’t have to register to at-tend. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to make sure your car seat is used and installed correctly.

3Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Call 865-541-8723 or visit www.etch.com/DWTKS to purchase tickets. Proceeds go toward the purchase of medical equipment at the hospital.


Story by Cassidy Duckett Britt

Close to homeArian Redding was too young to have back pain. When the

then 17-year-old honor student started losing feeling in her lower back and leg in November 2014, she knew something was wrong.

Her mother, Holly, rushed her to the hospital.continued on page 6


Arian gets a makeover from makeup artist Patty Watson.

Dr. Corns said this type of pediatric cancer was in an uncommon location, estimating there are probably less than fi ve pediatric sacral osteosarcoma patients diagnosed annually.

Staying close to home After considering other orthopedic oncologists in the region, Arian chose to return to Children’s Hospital for her treatment. “She didn’t want to be stuck where no one could see her,” Holly said. “When we were referred to Dr. Corns, he had already studied her condition and knew everything about what was going on. It was very comforting. The nurses knew everything, too.” For Arian, being close to home was important. She and Holly, who live in White Pine, Tenn., have been called twins. “I didn’t think we could be closer [than before she was diagnosed],” Holly said. “We’ve been through a lot.”

At fi rst, doctors considered the possibility of a urinary tract infection or a slipped disc. Her pain persisted, so Arian had an MRI to determine the cause. Two months after her pain began, she was given an answer. “They called me in less than 24 hours,” Holly said. “All we knew was that there was a mass.”

Finding a diagnosis Arian, who worked at McDonald’s and Shoney’s during high school to help her mom with bills, was told she had osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in her lower back. The tumor is centered on her sacrum, a large bone on the base of her spine. Dr. Stephen Corns, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital pediatric hematology/oncology, explained how rare Arian’s situation is. “Normally osteosarcoma is in an extremity, like an arm or leg, so it’s easier to take out the tumor,” he said. “Arian’s tumor could not be removed because of its location, so it had to be handled differently.”

continued from page 5

At fi rst, doctors considered the possibility of a urinary tract infection or a slipped disc. Her pain persisted, so Arian had an MRI to determine the cause. Two months after her pain began, she was given an answer. “They called me in less than 24 hours,” Holly said. “All we knew was that there was a mass.”

Finding a diagnosisFinding a diagnosis Arian, who worked at McDonald’s and Shoney’s during high school to help her mom with bills, was told she had osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in her lower back. The tumor is centered on her sacrum, a large bone on the base of her spine. Dr. Stephen Corns, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital pediatric hematology/oncology, explained how rare Arian’s situation is. “Normally osteosarcoma is in an extremity, like an arm or leg, so it’s easier to take out the tumor,” he said. “Arian’s tumor could not be removed because of its location, so it had to be handled differently.”

continued from page 5



Arian at Grow Salon after her makeover.

8

Working with a treatment Because the cancerous mass in her back cannot be removed surgically, Arian received chemotherapy and radiation treatments and worked with Children’s Hospital’s Pain and Palliative Care Service to help manage her pain during treatment. This type of cancer frequently spreads to the lungs, but her treatments have allowed it to remain localized with no evidence of spreading. Arian completed chemotherapy in January 2016. She will visit Dr. Corns every three months so he can monitor the sacral mass for any changes in size and for any evidence of spreading of the disease. After finishing chemotherapy, Arian began water therapy and occupational therapy three to four times per week to help ease her pain and regain some of her strength.

For Arian, the pain caused by the osteosarcoma has drastically changed her life. “She was always the teacher’s pet,” Holly said. “She wanted to be a doctor. I’ve never met anyone who disliked her.”

Managing her pain Now, Arian cannot walk long distances or drive. To manage her pain, she takes medication that can make her drowsy. She finished high school by completing her work at home. In the spring of 2015, she was able to walk across the stage to graduate with her Jefferson County High School class. “Arian is definitely a fighter. She’s in a lot of pain, but she puts up with more than she lets on,” Dr. Corns said. “She’s a tough cookie, and even laughs at some of my jokes. All of the staff who take care of her love her.”

It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2016

From left, sister Mikala Redding, 15, Arian, and her mom Holly Newton at Grow Salon.

Special thanks to Shane Archer of Grow Salon and makeup artist Patty Watson.

Continuing the fi ght Because she had to be admitted to Children’s Hospital multiple times for treatment, Arian has become friendly with the nurses and other staff members on the second fl oor. “I love them,” Arian said. “You get close to them in this situation.” Though her lifestyle has changed since she was diagnosed, Arian still is a normal teenage girl. She likes Marvel comic book characters, singing, puzzles and makeup. She is an expert at doing her nails and is teaching her mother how to perfect the skill. “No matter what is going on, she still smiles,” Holly said. “She’s very mature for her age. She is truly making the best of everything.”


Makeup artist Patty Watson reveals Arian’s makeover to her.

Patty and Arian take a selfi e after the makeover.


“She’s a tough cookie, and even laughs at some of my jokes. All

of the staff who take care of her love her.” – Dr. Stephen Corns

Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that originates in the bone, commonly in the legs, arms and shoulders. Approximately 400 new pediatric osteosarcoma cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, and less than fi ve of those diagnoses are pediatric sacral osteosarcoma. Typically, Children’s Hospital patients diagnosed with pediatric osteosarcoma have surgery to remove the mass, followed with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Aboutosteosarcoma


Dr. Stephen Corns visit with Arian at her off-chemo party in February.

Nine-year-old Brody Hamilton had one thing on his mind last spring while recovering from major surgery at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. “He wanted to be able to run again,” his mother Sarah said.

Then 8 years old, running seemed like a distant goal for Brody. He had surgery to remove a brain tumor on March 31, 2015.

Back Brody

to



growing tumor was something Brody had probably lived with for several years. The next day, they were scheduled to meet with pediatric neurosurgeon Gentry Savage, M.D. Savage explained to Sarah and Bo that the tumor was large, creating pressure on different parts of Brody’s brain and causing the clinical problems for him. “It was absolutely terrifying,” Sarah said. “My husband and I learned what it felt like to be scared to death. It really shook us to the core.” Savage encouraged the Hamiltons to decide how they wanted to proceed, so that the family would be comfortable and confident they were in the best place for them. “Our role is to take care of the child and the family,” Savage said. Sarah and Bo had 24 hours to choose where their son would have a major procedure, and they wanted the best care available. Sarah said, “We felt like it would be important for his recovery to be surrounded by his family and friends who are all here.” The Hamiltons decided Savage would perform the surgery. “The way she treated him, put him at ease and explained things to him was so thoughtful and caring and professional.”

An alarming discovery Before his diagnosis in March, Brody had a few health issues, such as isolated vomiting. “He was extremely emotional and not acting like himself,” Sarah said. She and her husband, Brody’s father Bo, also noticed a sudden change with his eyes, as his right eye started crossing inward. He even began tilting his head. “It was very minor at first – we thought it was a mannerism, but it became more obvious. He was running with his head tilted.” “That coupled with the vomiting and not acting like himself was cause for concern,” she explained. At first, the Hamiltons and Brody’s pediatrician believed the problems were a result of an eye issue, so he was referred to Children’s Hospital pediatric ophthalmologist Allyson Schmitt, M.D. “The first few minutes of the exam, she told us they saw swelling on the optic nerve,” Sarah said. Schmitt ordered an MRI, and Children’s Hospital specialists found juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), a low-grade tumor that occurs in different regions of the brain, commonly in the cerebellum, like Brody’s was. This slow-


Individualized care Because of the tumor’s location, Savage talked with the Hamiltons to explain the risk. “She professionally told us there was a chance he might not be walking after surgery, that he might not be the same kid,” Sarah said. “We were prepared for the worst the weekend before the surgery.” However, Savage assured the Hamiltons her goal was to avoid any permanent damage and remove as much of the tumor as possible. Savage said, “I was looking for a perfect Brody rather than a perfect picture of an MRI.” Savage and the Hamiltons set a plan to inform Brody of his diagnosis and procedure ahead, agreeing to tell him in stages to help ease his anxiety. “She was extremely helpful explaining to him without scaring him,” Sarah said. On March 31, Savage successfully and safely removed nearly all of the tumor in Brody’s cerebellum. “We were

Brody and his sister Anna race through their yard.

crying and bear-hugging her after the surgery,” Sarah re-called. Following the procedure, Brody stayed in the Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) while his fluids stabilized. “The PICU was wonderful,” Sarah said. “They were so wonderful to our family and to Brody.” PICU nurses even arranged for a special visit from a Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) therapy dog after learning Brody missed his dogs at home. Brody’s biggest challenge at first was simply getting out of his hospital bed. He had three goals in the PICU: to move his head, get out of bed and walk. At the end of his seven days in the PICU before moving to a regular room, he was walking short distances. After his time in the PICU, he was moved to a regular room, and two days later, he went home with good news. “We found out the day we were leaving the hospital that it was a benign tumor so it required no chemotherapy,” Sarah said.


Photo by Jennifer Crook Photography

The Hamilton family.

A quick recovery The only things required for Brody after leaving the hospital were glasses for his double vision, which went away in a few weeks, and physical therapy. He performed so well he was dismissed after his third physical therapy session. The Hamiltons were prepared for a long recovery, but Brody went back to school at the beginning of May. “So far it’s absolutely best-case scenario,” Sarah said. Brody’s energy and stamina were the most impacted, but he was soon able to walk longer distances. He even ran through the yard a few days after coming home. By summertime, he was back to Brody. “He wasn’t allowed to swim until July,” she said. “We felt like when he could swim that he was back to himself.” Brody went swimming again for the first time July 4. Currently, Brody has an MRI at Children’s Hospital every three months, and if there is no new growth, the MRIs will become less frequent.

“Dr. Savage will be his doctor for as long as she is practicing. It’s such a blessing how it’s turned out. We are so grateful

for the outcome.” — Sarah Hamilton,

Brody’s mom


The Hamilton family.

Ready to run Now, Brody is back in action, with straight A’s and E’s in school. He loves playing outside with his friends and his sister Anna, 7. “Everything about him is as it always was, even emotionally,” she said. Cross country started in September, and Brody was ready to run. After finishing the season, his mother said he’s thinking of soccer next. The Hamiltons are thankful for Savage and credit her with their son’s outcome. “We just think she is absolutely outstanding,” Sarah said. “As a person and a professional, I really trust her with Brody.” Sarah said she and Bo believe their support system of family and friends as well as their faith helped them through a difficult time of their lives. “We thank God every day and feel like our prayers were answered,” she said. “I do feel like everything was miraculous.” “I feel like it was the worst and best year of our lives,” Sarah said. “It shakes you down to the core and reminds you what matters in life.”

Pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital

Pediatric neurosurgeons treat issues in a child’s nervous system as well as head and spinal deformities. Common neurological problems for children include hydrocephalus, brain and spinal cord tumors, spina bifida, abnormal head shape, brain or spine problems and craniosynostosis. East Tennessee Children’s Hospital pediatric neurosurgery houses state-of-the-art technology, including stealth intraoperative navigation and o-arm systems, which allow for added precision and imaging during surgery to help improve outcomes in patients. Children’s Hospital has two pediatric neurosurgeons, Lewis W. Harris, M.D., and J. Gentry Savage, M.D.

Brody with Children’s Hospital pediatric neurosurgeon Gentry Savage, M.D.

Brody visits with Helga, one of the HABIT therapy dogs, in the PICU.


Children’s Hospital is always in need of donations for our patients and their families. If you’re interested in donating toys, clothes and other items, visit www.etch.com/giving and click on “Donate Clothing and Items” for the guidelines on what is needed, or call the Volunteer Services department at (865) 541-8136.


Made with Love One thousand six hundred and thirty nine. That’s the number of quilts Wanda Kilpatrick has cut, pieced and sewn to donate to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital patients since July 2009. “I have two grandchildren who live in Knoxville who are healthy,” she said. “I think about those who aren’t.” Kilpatrick, a resident of Crossville, Tenn., thought of those children and knew that she could use sewing as a way to help. She got started, making quilts, purses, totes, backpacks, bracelets, bibs and blankets. In 2013, her sister Judy Payne joined her in her donations, crocheting hats, blankets and infant cocoons. Payne, who lives outside of Baxter, Tenn., started while healing from shoulder surgery. The crocheting helped her use her shoulder post-surgery. Payne said, “It helped me, and I thought I was helping the children, also. Just to be able to bring a smile to their faces and brighten their day,

News

that brings a smile to my face and brightens my day.” Together, Kilpatrick and Payne have given 1,639 quilts, 704 hats, 441 purses, totes and backpacks, 391 bracelets, 34 bibs, 80 blankets and 17 cocoons. They travel together, with their husbands, to the hospital at least quarterly to donate their comforting pieces to Children’s Hospital patients.

Wanda Kilpatrick, left, and Judy Payne deliver knitted and crocheted items to Children’s Hospital.

Loyal listeners support Radiothon On February 18, 107.7 WIVK and NewsTalk 98.7 listeners like you helped raise more than $103,000 for Children’s Hospital as part of the Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. Broadcasted live from Culmulus Media, the radio station mixed in interviews with patients and Children’s Hospital experts as part of its regular programming. Funds raised by the event help purchase medical equipment for the hospital.

Your Dollars at Work

Burger King gives back In December, Burger King locations in East Tennessee joined together to raise money for Children’s Hospital. Burger King off ered coupons for menu items for every $1 donated to Children’s Hospital. During the month-long promotion, Burger King raised more $17,000.

Special thanks to our major sponsors: Bridgewater Place • Delta Dental • Elliott’s Boots • IHOP • Kimball’s Jewelers

MetroPCS • Peoples Home Equity • Stanley Fencing & Landscaping, Inc. • Zoo Knoxville


Gunner of WIVK 107.7 talks with JoshuaJohn Waldrop and his family.

Hallerin Hilton Hill interviews the Berkley family and Children’s Hospital Pediatric Otolaryngologist Mark Ray, M.D., on NewsTalk 98.7.



Luke Roland, Charlie Tufts and Lillee Roland learn to garden at Grub Club.

The New Harvest Park farmer’s market is a weekly market in Knoxville, Tenn., from spring to late fall. There, attendees see many vendors with offerings of produce and a wide variety of other goods. Not only are there various produce stands, but attendees might also find a group of children gardening. The Grub Club is a grant-funded program hosted by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital’s Childhood Obesity Coalition. Weekly, students and children from the community gather to learn how to plant and harvest vegetables, determine which produce is in season and make healthy snacks from what they’ve grown. Each farmer’s market season hosts several sessions for local schoolchildren. All Grub Club meetings, though, are open to any children attending the New Harvest Park Farmer’s Market. Children’s Hospital’s Childhood Obesity Coalition Coordinator Kindall Aaron said it’s important for children to be introduced to healthy fruits and vegetables at a young age. “There are many benefits of eating fresh produce that is in season,” she said. “Foods tastes better. They are packed with vitamins and minerals.” Aaron said the program is unique because it combines education on various topics. “First, they explore, plant and dig in to the garden. Then they make a craft that goes along with what they are learning and a healthy snack from foods they grew.” Grub Club attendees work with gardening tools and choose what produce they think is ready to harvest. Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and more have all been harvested and turned into snacks, salsas and even pumpkin dip. The Childhood Obesity Coalition wants to help children discover fresh foods and how it helps their bodies grow. This unique program has been successful since it began in March 2015. So far, five schools have participated in Grub Club. The coalition offers a variety of programs to the community, from encouraging an active lifestyle to healthy eating. Together with school systems, community agencies and organizations, the Children’s Hospital Childhood Obesity Coalition’s mission is to improve the health of children through a community-wide effort focusing on reducing the incidence of childhood obesity. Keurig Green Mountain supported the program in its first year. If you are interested in supporting Children’s Hospital’s Grub Club, visit www.etch.com/giving.

Children’s Hospital encourages children to dig in



Project SEARCH thrives at Children’s Hospital For nine months, seven interns at Children’s Hospital were given a unique opportunity through Project SEARCH. Project SEARCH is a program that provides skills training and workplace internships for adults with special needs. In 2014, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital partnered with the Cerebral Palsy Center to host Project SEARCH. In October, Children’s Hospital’s second Project SEARCH class graduated. Project SEARCH interns spend nine months, fi ve days per week at the hospital in an internship with coursework and exposure to multiple jobs. Th eir fi rst three weeks are in a classroom setting, learning hospital policies and procedures. Aft er orientation, they begin a normal schedule, which includes spending time in the classroom for one hour, focusing on vocational, social and independent living skills and then spending four hours training at their worksite. Vanessa Herrmann, Project SEARCH coordinator, said the interns love to work and are dedicated to their jobs. “To them, it’s not just about getting a paycheck,” she said. “Th ey want to be here, and they pour everything they have into work.” Interns are not all assigned to the same department so they can develop relationships with coworkers outside of the program. “It’s helpful because most of the interns have never worked before,” Herrmann said. “Th ey’re exposed to a real work environment.” Zeni Schleter spent time working in multiple departments, helping with deliveries, putting together various department information packets and assisting with special event preparation. For Schleter, the interaction with her coworkers were her favorite part. “I liked meeting new people and making new friends,” she said. Herrmann said, “I think the most important part is fi nding out who they really are.” She credits the program for teaching the interns about independence and being an adult. “Th ey really bloom with that.”

“Th e program also benefi ts the hospital because they get to see a more diversifi ed workforce,” she said. “It’s more eye-opening.” Most of the interns from the fi rst and second Project SEARCH classes at Children’s Hospital are currently employed. Th ree former interns are working at Children’s Hospital. “Th ey all want to stay to work here,” Herrmann said. Children’s Hospital’s third Project SEARCH class started in February. For more information on Project SEARCH, visit the Cerebral Palsy Center’s website at www.cpcenter.org


Project SEARCH’s second graduating class is fi rst row, from left, Sarah French, Rachel Buback, Bryan Archilla, Carrie Sowell and Angel Morris. Second row from left is coordinator Vanessa Her-rmann, Grant Rolph and Zeni Schleter.


Nothing puts a smile on aNothing puts a smile on a child’s face quicker than getting a gift— child’s face quicker than getting a gift

24 Donate at www.etch.com

2018 Clinch Ave. • P.O. Box 15010Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-5010RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Email [email protected] for questions about the magazine, if you receive a duplicate issue or to update your address. Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to sign up to receive this magazine electronically.

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

P A I DPERMIT 433

KNOXVILLE, TN

HELP NOW.www.etch/FLETCH

Meet AJ.He’s five years old.He loves to sing.He has cancer.

Help kids like AJfight childhood cancer.Join the Fletch (Friends Love East Tennessee Children’s Hospital) Club for $18/month.

Diagnosis - Low Grade Glioma

He loves to sing.He has cancer.

Help kids like AJfight childhood cancer.Join the Fletch (Friends Love East Tennessee Children’s Hospital) Club for $18/month.

Diagnosis - Low Grade Glioma

Date post:	23-Jan-2017
Category:	Health & Medicine
Upload:	east-tennessee-childrens-hospital
View:	2,841 times
Download:	1 times

It's About Children - Issue 1, 2016 by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

Health & Medicine