Pediatric Surgery: Gabe’s Story

from MCW Surgery 2022 Annual Report

Surgery Rural Residency Track

Gabe had always been a strong, healthy kid who rarely even caught a cold. At 5’10”, 240 lbs., he was a dedicated athlete who was excited to start his sophomore year playing offensive lineman for his high school football team. Between morning workouts in the weight room, afternoon football practice, and games for both the varsity and junior varsity teams, Gabe was exercising multiple times a day.

But then the 16-year-old noticed that his bowel habits had changed. When the problems persisted, Gabe and his parents assumed it might be the byproduct of his diet and rigorous workout routine. However, Gabe began having 12-15 bowel movements a day and was passing blood. Desperate for answers, his mother took him to see a gastroenterologist who specialized in treating adults.

A colonoscopy revealed that Gabe had ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the lining of the large intestine and rectum become inflamed and develop ulcers, causing abdominal pain and cramping, frequent and urgent need to use the bathroom, weight loss and fatigue. The gastroenterologist tried to treat Gabe with medications, but his condition deteriorated. Gabe lost more than 30 pounds and struggled to keep up with school and activities.

By the time summer started, Gabe could hardly leave home. During Gabe’s annual physical, his mother, Jane, shared her frustrations with the pediatrician, who recommended they seek a second opinion from the Gastroenterology, Liver and Nutrition Program at Children’s Wisconsin. Gabe was reluctant to start from scratch with another gastroenterologist, but he decided to give Children’s Wisconsin a try.

“Once I got to Children’s Wisconsin, I could tell they were trying to make a change to help me instead of just sitting around and waiting to see if I would get better,” Gabe said. “I felt like I was finally in the right hands.”

Gabe’s story isn’t unusual, noted David Gourlay, MD, Professor and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery, who treated Gabe. “Many families think of Children’s Wisconsin as a place for babies and children, not older adolescents,” said Dr. Gourlay. “But they soon see the difference between Children’s Wisconsin and the care provided by other providers. Our pediatric GI group manages one of the largest patient cohorts in the Midwest. The experience they bring to bear is unparalleled in the state.”

Gabe’s first visit to Children’s Wisconsin turned into a three-day hospital stay as the medical team, led by pediatric gastroenterologist Jose Cabrera, MD, worked to get his symptoms under control with IV steroids. Dr. Cabrera later prescribed regular infusion treatments. His symptoms finally under control, Gabe resumed playing football that fall. But the next year, his condition flared up again and Gabe was back in the hospital. More testing showed that the disease had spread to his entire large intestine. Over the next few months, Dr. Gourlay performed three surgeries to remove Gabe’s large intestine and adapt his anatomy so he could resume normal bowel elimination.

After spending a total of seven weeks in the hospital, 18-year-old Gabe was eager to get back to football and back to normal life as a high school senior. When he eventually needs to switch to an adult provider, Children’s Wisconsin will help him transition. “I’m very grateful that we ended up at Children’s Wisconsin instead of with another adult doctor,” Jane said. “I honestly don’t know what we would have done without them.”