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Marion is a happy and active little boy, but his family once
feared he might not live to see his first birthday. They credit
Texas Children's Hospital and the
Kangaroo Crew®,
which transports critically ill babies and children to the
hospital, with saving his life.
“I am totally convinced that baby Marion would not have
survived in any place other than Texas Children's Hospital nor
without its Kangaroo Crew,” said Marion's grandfather and a
cardiovascular surgeon in Harlingen.
When Marion developed toxic
shock syndrome at 11 months and the initial diagnosis was made,
his grandfather knew there was only one place he trusted to care
for his grandson.
“Texas Children's Hospital is
renowned for its
infectious disease service and critical care center,”
said
Marion's grandfather.
“The physicians at Texas Children's set in motion a series of
prompt responses. First, the infectious disease physician arranged
for Marion's immediate transfer to Texas Children's via the
Kangaroo Crew. They were on their way within the hour.”
The crew spent several hours
working to stabilize young Marion before flying him to Texas
Children's. Once at the hospital, he spent four-and-a-half weeks
on a respirator and underwent kidney dialysis. In all, he received
treatment from 18 medical specialties, and was enrolled in a
clinical protocol that enabled him to receive medication available
only through clinical trials.
Marion's parents were
thrilled with the care their son received and touched by the
concern the Texas Children's staff showed their family.
“I
was blown away by how the
doctors and nurses could give us so much information about what
was going on and still give us hope,” his father said.
“The care was better than any I'd imagined possible anywhere
in the world.”
Today, Marion is on his way to
being healthy physically and mentally. He continues physical
therapy in Brownsville, and the family is happy with his progress.
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