Zaidee’s Radiothon Story

When Zaidee became confused and had occupation breathing, Rhea rushed her to the nearest hospital. When she mentioned Zaidee seeing agleam lights and proceeding voices, the aesculapian squad recognized the urgency and transferred her to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. That marked the opening of a seven-week infirmary enactment filled with uncertainty, fear, and anticipation arsenic Zaidee battled autoimmune encephalitis — a uncommon and superior information successful which the body’s immune strategy mistakenly attacks the brain. In Zaidee’s case, it caused seizures, nonaccomplishment of cognitive function, and different psychiatric symptoms. Though the diagnosis was terrifying, Rhea recovered comfortableness successful their doctors, who reassured her that the Alberta Children’s Hospital squad had acquisition treating this uncommon condition. Zaidee’s archetypal people of attraction included steroids and medications. When those didn’t look to beryllium working, doctors turned to apheresis (plasma exchange) to region the harmful antibodies attacking her brain. She went done 7 rounds of this attraction — galore portion intubated successful the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). As she became much stable, she was moved to Unit 3, wherever she took her archetypal steps toward recovery. On Unit 3, Zaidee met Chantal, a Child Life Specialist who rapidly became a beloved friend. Chantal would sojourn often, bringing toys and activities to assistance Zaidee regain spot and question — similar sitting up and getting retired of bed. More than conscionable carnal recovery, these moments gave Zaidee thing to look guardant to — a agleam spot successful the midst of a hard journey.

Nearly a period aft her diagnosis, Zaidee stood for the archetypal clip — with 3 radical supporting her. From there, she began the challenging enactment of relearning however to locomotion and negociate regular activities with the assistance of occupational and physiotherapy teams. Art therapist Nicole and her euphony therapist besides played a peculiar role, supporting Zaidee’s centrifugal accomplishment betterment portion giving her a originative outlet to process her emotions. In November, Zaidee was discharged and began attending Dr. Gordon Townsend School the pursuing week to proceed her betterment arsenic an outpatient. Looking backmost connected their journey, Rhea is overwhelmed with gratitude for the unthinkable squad who stood by their side. She wants to convey Dr. Esser, Dr. Jordan, their team, pharmacists, dieticians, the Infectious Disease specialists, societal workers, the PICU and Unit 3 staff, volunteers, nurses, the Dr. Gordon Townsend School family, Child Life Specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, the Spiritual Care Service, their church, and the household and friends who prayed for them — each of whom played a relation successful her daughter’s healing. Above all, Rhea gives acknowledgment to God for giving her the spot and religion to clasp on. “When you’re here, your victories are the staff’s victories,” Rhea adds. “We are truthful grateful for the Alberta Children’s Hospital — I cannot enactment it into words.”

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