Just hours after a fun-filled night with friends at her sophomore homecoming dance, Clara Christopher ended up in our emergency room. Specialty ENT surgery and a 9-day hospital stay have her back on the lacrosse field and celebrating her sweet 16.
A LEGO hummingbird and flower sit on Dr. Ebone Bady’s shelf – the first piece of artwork she’s added to her office since joining CHoR earlier this year. More than a providing pop of color, it reminds her of a special patient who offered kindness in the midst of her own trying time.
Clara Christopher had been battling a throat infection since Labor Day. She’d been through a course of antibiotics and steroids, but as soon as the medication ended, the pain and swelling returned with a vengeance. Bloodwork and imaging at her pediatrician’s office weren’t showing anything too out of the ordinary, so the active 15-year-old carried on with school, lacrosse, field hockey and friends. The morning after her high school homecoming dance, things became unbearable.
“Her neck started swelling badly and she was in pain. I took her to the Children's ER per our pediatrician’s suggestion and they did a CT scan which showed the abscess,” said Clara’s dad, Drew.
The team admitted her to the Children’s Tower and tried IV medication first while our infectious diseases experts investigated what was causing Clara’s condition. After an unsuccessful needle aspiration, in conjunction with ENT, they determined that the magnitude and location of the infection required surgery. Without it, the infection could cause a septic thrombophlebitis or embolism and spread to other organs in the body.
“Clara had a deep neck space infection that was surrounding the great vessels of the neck and important nerves of her neck and face,” explained Dr. Bady, Clara’s ENT surgeon.
Not only did Dr. Bady have just the expertise needed to help Clara, but this case was also quite personal. One of Dr. Bady’s family members had the same rare condition in high school, which inspired her interest in becoming an ENT surgeon.
Dr. Bady and Clara connected.
“I explained the surgery to her in detail and I could tell she was processing every piece on an intellectual and emotional level far beyond her years.”
“I honestly can’t imagine having gone through this anywhere else.”
Surgery took place on September 24.
“Initially, I didn’t know the best incision to place on her neck to get the full extent of the infection out because she had so much swelling,” said Dr. Bady. “In the OR I used ultrasound-guided imaging to plan out my incision. I did my best to place it in a skin crease line so it would be hidden once she fully healed. Then we found and drained the abscess pocket.”
“Dr. Bady was incredible,” said Clara’s mom, Amanda. “We were worried about the location of the abscess and the potential it would need multiple surgeries. Dr. Bady performed a slam dunk and we were able to move on after one surgery. We can't thank her enough.”
Though the surgery was a success, Clara stayed in the hospital for several days afterward. Continued exams and drain removal were painful, but she endured everything with grit and grace, much like she does as an athlete and a student.
“She had the most amazing nurse named Aisha Dresser. She helped Clara on her most painful days,” said Amanda. “The nurses went along with all our crazy ideas, like washing her hair when she had a neck tube. They helped us make it happen and Clara felt so much better.”
“I would tell her stories about different things to keep her distracted or crack a joke or two to cheer her up,” said Aisha. “Clara was sweet, respectful and always had a smile on her face, despite what she was going through or her pain and discomfort.”
Child life brought fidgets and gaming systems and Dogs on Call kept Clara company until she could return home to her own pup, Goldie. The ability to order fun food from the Children’s Tower cafeteria was an added bonus – yogurt and granola was her favorite.
“We’ve never needed a hospital for our kids and didn't know the level of care CHoR provides. We are so thankful our pediatrician sent us there. I honestly can’t imagine having gone through this anywhere else,” Amanda added.
Returning to her routine – and already finding ways to give back
Clara went home from the hospital on a Tuesday and was back in school the following week. She had her final visit with Dr. Suzanne Lavoie, chief of infectious diseases, a couple weeks ago to confirm the infection is gone, is off all antibiotics and was cleared to play in a lacrosse tournament on October 24 – with plenty of happy tears and hugs from her teammates.
“We’ll never know exactly how or why the bacteria got in there that led to this. Infectious diseases told us it was bad luck and lightning would have to strike twice for this to ever happen to her again,” recalled Drew.
But not everyone is an honorable mention all-metro lacrosse player their freshman year, is a buddy athlete in an adaptive sports league or opts to be a source of comfort for other patients and families by making a meal at the Ronald McDonald House just days before her own 16th birthday either. The infection didn’t attack just anyone.
“Have you ever met a kid who you immediately know is an amazing human and will one day do great things? That’s Clara,” said Dr. Bady. “Despite what she faced, she was calm, introspective and kind.”
And not everyone gifts their surgeon with a LEGO creation made while enduring one of their most difficult situations.
“She was making a LEGO flower and I complimented her work. I shared how my colleague had one in their office and said maybe I should get one as well. Before she left, she gave me hers.”