I’ve joined the Miles for Miracles team for the fourth time because I believe so strongly in all the amazing things Boston Children’s Hospital does for the kids. Upon graduating from college, I choose a career with Boston Children’s. I have fallen in love with all it has to offer and I love giving back to the kids in a different way. I am so excited to continue to share my journey with my patient partners, Paige and Emerson.
At just three months old, Paige fell very ill from what doctors believe to have started with an infection or abscess in the back of her throat in a bone that wasn't fully formed. The infection grew throughout her skull (skull-based osteomyelitis) which then became bacterial meningitis. The infection was so bad that it constricted blood vessels and arteries in her brain which caused a stroke. Paige and her family arrived at Children's and met with a team of doctors and nurses, who they described as the most amazing team. Due to a quick bond with the doctors and nurses, one of the nurses actually became Paige's Godmother!
Fast forward to today, Paige is a vibrant 3rd grader! A ball of joy and true love bug to everyone she meets. Paige underwent surgery in July of 2023. She had a hemispherotomy which disconnected the two hemispheres in her brain. The ultimate goal of this surgery is to stop her seizures. She has weaned off most of her seizure medications and things are going smoothly. We are seeing a new Paige and her family could not be more pleased with how things are going thus far!
Emerson’s Story
When Emerson was 6 months old, his family found out that at some point prenatally he had a stroke. The stroke caused a blockage in his brain, causing fluid to back up. His family was connected with Dr. Warf, a neurosurgeon at BCH, and his care journey began. Throughout his life, Emerson has had multiple surgeries, numerous visits to the ED, many inpatient stays and other appointments. Every person his family has encountered- from the top neurosurgeon all the way down to the house keeping- has treated Emerson (and his family) as their priority. They feel it is apparent that each BCH team member is there to care for the patients. They continue to make the drive from Vermont to Boston because they are confident Emerson is receiving the best care possible.
Emerson is an energetic 2nd grader! He loves being active and spending time with his three older brothers. He never passes up the opportunity to watch a red sox game or help coach his brothers. In his words, "Have fun. Do something great."
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