What started as dehydration and fear of a viral infection, led to hospitalization and surgery for Norah Davis. The 16-year-old is now thriving thanks to our acute care pediatrics team.
A kind-hearted and caring teenager who loves dance and her dog Olive, Norah Davis got really sick back in March. She spent several days not being able to keep any food or liquids down and wasn’t seeing any improvement.
An abundance of caution leads to ER visit
Norah’s parents feared she had a viral infection and was becoming dehydrated, so they took her to our emergency department just to be safe. This isn’t the first time the family had turned to CHoR for care. Both of their daughters were preemies and spent time in our NICU, but the expert care didn’t stop there.
Shortly after Norah was born, an X-ray detected a life-threatening medical condition that required surgery. The operation she had when she was just 2 days old repaired a perforated Meckel’s diverticulum (a small pouch in the wall of the lower intestine). Any previous operation places patients at risk for adhesions (scar tissue), so patients like Norah have a long-term (but overall low) risk for blockages. Because of her symptoms and previous surgery, an X-ray was ordered during her ER visit 16 years later.
“Given her medical history, the possibility of a blockage had crossed our minds,” Norah’s mom Daniele explained, “but it was just a small concern. We honestly thought it was something much simpler and just wanted to have her evaluated for our own peace of mind.”
Discovery of small bowel obstruction
The X-ray revealed Norah was suffering from a small bowel obstruction. An additional radiological contrast study pointed further to her needing surgery. An SBO is a partial or complete blockage of the small intestine that can keep food, fluids and gas from passing through normally and requires immediate medical attention.
“When we went to the ER, we never imagined it would turn into something so serious,” explained Daniele. “Our team of doctors and nurses went above and beyond, not only in the care they provided Norah, but also in making sure we were informed, comfortable and supported every step of the way.”
Dr. Jonathan DeAntonio, surgical director of our colorectal program, took care of Norah.
“In the OR, we found the cause of the obstruction. Adhesions, which are made up of scar tissue from the previous surgery, were located and removed,” explained Dr. DeAntonio. “Her diet was advanced following the return of bowel function and she was able to go home the following week.”
Daniele and Norah really appreciated not only Dr. DeAntonio’s expert care, but his gentle approach. He was able to sense when the information he was giving them was difficult for Norah to hear and adjusted accordingly.
“Norah still talks about different moments and how much she appreciated him recognizing how she was feeling without her having to say anything first,” Daniele remembered. “He really made her feel comfortable and reassured during every interaction.”
Dr. DeAntonio was just as impressed by his patient and her mom.
“They are both very sweet,” he said, “and Norah’s mom has done a wonderful job helping her through this process and advocating for her.”
Spending a week in a hospital bed when you would rather be wearing pointe shoes in the ballet studio can be tough. Our child life team was able to show a different type of care for Norah that went beyond her diagnosis.
“I met Norah the day she arrived at the hospital, and the word that comes to mind when I think of her is brave,” remembered Paige Lockamon, one of our child life specialists. “She had to navigate many new and unknown things throughout her admission including bedside procedures, surgery and various other scenarios. She was brave each step of the way, showing that bravery isn’t shown by the lack of fear, but taking the next step forward even when you are nervous and afraid.”
Paige was there to explain everything before it happened, to be present for care or conversations and to provide emotional safety when it was needed.
“When she found out she needed surgery, she immediately asked for me to come to her room to help explain everything to her in a way that made sense,” recalled Paige. “I was able to be with her leading up to the surgery and accompany her into the OR to help her stay calm until she got her sedation medicine.”
That support meant everything to Norah and her family.
“There were so many moments, both big and small, when child life specialists like Paige showed such incredible kindness to Norah and our family,” shared Daniele. “While I could share story after story, I think what matters most is how deeply their care and compassion impacted her. They made such a lasting impression that Norah has even expressed an interest in learning more about the work they do.”
Growing to help more kids and teens, like Norah
That care will be available to even more patients with the opening of Level 11 in the Children’s Tower, our third acute care pediatrics unit, and our providers know just how needed the increased capacity is.
“We are excited about ACP 11,” Dr. DeAntonio said. “Our hospital is almost always filled to the brim, so having additional beds will allow us to continue to provide the highest level of care to the children of Central Virginia and beyond. As we are constantly expanding our surgical subspecialty service lines (colorectal, bariatric, chest wall, oncology and complex wound) these beds will be put to great use!”
And more kids will be able to benefit the way Norah has.
“Our family will forever be grateful for the care Norah received, but also for the kindness and compassion shown to all of us along the way,” shared Daniele. “We hope every person who played a part in her care knows that what they do truly makes a difference, and that difference extends far beyond the walls of the hospital.”