 |
Outstanding Care
Whenever these two brothers visit K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital,
they’re greeted with friendly faces and compassionate care.
Clevette Hill of Asbury Park has
only positive things to say about
the nurses, physicians, and support staff
of K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.
"They are all great," she says. "You
can really tell they all love and care
about what they do." She then notes
specifically how Michele Taylor, the
hospital’s recreational therapist, has
provided games, videos, and play
therapy for her two sons. "It’s great
how she spends so much time with the
boys; it makes their stay go by quicker
and gives them something to look
forward to."
It is instances like those that make
the rough patches not so rough for
Khalil, 11, and Salim, 15, brothers
who were diagnosed at birth with
sickle cell anemia. According to the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute, about 72,000 people in the
United States have sickle cell anemia.
Sickle cell disease is most common
in people of African ethnicity (1 in
600 African-American births), but it
can occur in many nationalities,
including European, Middle
Eastern, and Asian people.
Exceptional Staff
A few months ago, Salim and Khalil
were admitted to K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital at the same
time, each requiring a stay of a week.
Their care was under the direction
of Margaret Masterson, M.D., of the
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Department. Dr. Masterson sheds
some light on the boys’ disease:
"Sickle cell anemia is an inherited
disorder in which the body produces
an abnormal hemoglobin molecule
that causes the red blood cells to
become stiff and shaped like a
sickle, or crescent. The sickle cells
can then obstruct blood flow to
organs, causing pain and organ
damage. The sickle red blood cells
also don’t circulate as long as normal
cells, causing chronic anemia."
It has been shown that
comprehensive health care is
essential for sickle cell patients and
their families. This includes regular
checkups, special medications and
vaccines, nutritional counseling,
educational interventions as needed, and pediatric subspecialty referrals.
Sickle cell patients within this kind of
health care program lead longer lives
with a better quality of life.
For example, "every little crisis,"
in Clevette’s words, doesn’t have to
result in a trip to the hospital. "Often,
painful episodes can be managed at
home," she’s learned. So she takes her
sons to see Dr. Masterson every three
months to monitor their condition.
"Dr. Masterson is outstanding,"
Clevette affirms. "She explains
everything with such detail and
really makes sure you understand."
Bond of Brothers
In addition to the support of their
family, of Dr. Masterson, and of the
whole care team at K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital, Khalil and Salim have each other to lean on. "They
know what the other one is going
through and can really relate," their
mother says. The brothers also jointly
attend support groups, celebrations,
and a summer camp just for those
with sickle cell anemia.
Fortunately, despite some bumps
along the road, both Khalil and Salim
are currently doing well. They can
focus on things that boys their age
should be focused on, such as getting
good grades in school and playing
their favorite sports and games. And
knowing that there is quality care
located so close to her home allows
Clevette more time to focus on a
longtime personal goal of her own:
earning her social work degree at
Monmouth University.
 – Laura Buffum
|
