KADEN

M E E T T H E C H I L D R E N TOUCHED BY YOUR GIFTS KADEN, AGE 7

WWhen Kaden’s bellyache turned into a high fever, his worried mom rushed him to the Pediatric Emergency Room of The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart. In just hours, Kaden was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a particularly challenging strain of leukemia that requires specialized clinicians, services and staff to deliver. Fortunately for Kaden, our hospital has a world-class team trained to care for his needs, a team headed by Dr. Debra Cohen, pediatric hematologist/oncologist with the University of Florida.

Kaden received his first round of chemotherapy on Nov. 17, 2017. He stayed with us for 154 days.

By his second round of chemo, his case had grown increasingly complex, and he was moved to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on Christmas Eve 2017. He and his family suffered a dizzying next few weeks, during which he was placed on a ventilator, underwent a tracheotomy, was treated for wound issues, began kidney dialysis and coded twice.

HERE FOR HIM, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Slowly, Kaden’s health began to rebound. Off the ventilator and no longer needing kidney dialysis, he missed home and Christmas.

With a long hospital stay ahead, his care team — including his case manager, nurses, respiratory therapists and wound care team — connected with insurers, doctors, even ambulatory services, to get him home for a mini Christmas in April. Five hours later, he was back to his hospital room, spirits restored.

“The staff here has been so awesome,” Rhonda said. “Kaden is such a complex patient, and everyone has really put their heads together to make sure he has the best care possible.”

Kaden still has two more rounds of chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant to go through, but his mother remains optimistic.

“There have been lots of ups and downs,” she admits. “But we are so thankful for this team. They treat Kaden like he is their kid, too. When I cry, I can see them holding back tears. They want to cry, too. We call them ‘Team Kaden.’ Plus, they take care of me, too.”