Hannah

On April 4, 2015, Hannah fell through a glass coffee table which punctured her kidney. Wrapped in plastic, she was transported to a local hospital before it determined she needed to be airlift to the nearest Level 1 Trauma Center, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Once there, the trauma team carefully began unwrapping her but while doing this, Hannah began vomiting and losing a lot of blood. It was suspected she threw a clot and the only option to save her was to operate immediately.

Hannah recovered in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and was kept in a medically-induced coma for two days. Just when her family started to feel like the worst was over, Hannah developed an aneurysm and needed to return for a second surgery. Following that second surgery, her physical therapy was steady and strong, but her nutritional and emotional recovery were more challenging. Hannah refused to eat. It was the friendship and bond with a transport nurse that helped Hannah start eating again.

“Initially, Hannah wouldn’t go in the basement where the accident happened. She would have panic attacks and was scared of many things made out of glass,” recalls Heather.” Eventually, Hannah was diagnosed with PTSD, and she has had the benefit of some cognitive behavioral therapy offered through Cardinal Glennon. And while she has made great strides, there are still triggers of the accident that remain with her.

Hannah has made a full physical recovery and loves being active. She plays volleyball, enjoys going to the lake with her family, bowling, skating and movies, and fully plans on pursuing a career as a surgeon. She keeps in touch with her surgeon to this day,  “I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Dr. Kavi and Cardinal Glennon. I was given a second chance at life and I don’t take that for granted or make careless decisions. I still have some PTSD that I continue to work through, but I feel grateful for the opportunity to wake up each day and do that,” says Hannah. I just want to take any opportunity I can to give back what I was given and help other people.”

How CMN funds help Hannah and kids like her:

With your help, the Children’s Miracle Network has funded Child Life Services. The Child Life team advocates for the psychosocial, developmental, emotional and educational needs of all patients and families. Hannah is just one of thousands of kids supported through this program at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.