GASTROENTEROLOGY,
HEPATOLOGY AND NUTRITION
Diagnosed at 9,
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Caroline had always been a
healthy child, and when she became ill her pediatrician
initially thought she had food poisoning. However, after a week
of taking antibiotics, she had lost 7 pounds and showed no
improvement.
Caroline was admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital, where a
battery of tests revealed markers for ulcerative colitis and
Crohn’s disease. Though temporarily responding to a wide range
of drug therapies, Caroline’s disease progressed rapidly, and 15
months after its onset—in December 2004—she underwent a
proctocolectomy (removal of the colon) with an ileostomy (bringing
the last portion of the small intestine called the ileum to the
abdominal surface).
“The speed and intensity with which IBD affected Caroline was
unsettling,” her mother, Nancy, said. “There were times we held
our breath because Caroline’s health was in the balance. But,
knowing that a team of gastroenterologists was reviewing
Caroline’s situation and mapping out a plan of action was
comforting to us.”
In August 2005, the last of two reconstructive surgeries was
performed. Dr. David Wesson, chief of pediatric surgery,
performed all of Caroline’s surgical procedures.
“Dr. Wesson’s calm and caring demeanor reassured us, and we knew
that Caroline was in the best hands possible,” said Caroline’s
mother.
During the two years that Caroline was being treated at Texas
Children’s, she didn’t miss a beat, her mother said. She
maintained an A average in school even though she had been in
the hospital for 90 days. She also continued playing soccer and
softball. Caroline’s parents say they will never forget the time
after her ileostomy when she slid head first into home base at a
softball game. She was presented with the league’s Heart Award
that season.
As she enters the eighth grade, Caroline is a middle-school
cheerleader, a member of the Junior National Honor Society,
throws discus and runs on the track team, and plays volleyball
and softball. Today, her illness is a distant memory.
“Through collaboration on all aspects of Caroline’s care, we
were able to treat her condition successfully,” said Dr.
George Ferry, director of the IBD Center, chief of the
Gastroenterology Clinic and chief of the Inflammatory Bowel
Disease Clinic.
Caroline and her parents are grateful for the care and support
of the doctors, nurses and child life specialists at Texas
Children’s Hospital, who were there for them every step of the
way.
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