St. Mary’s hospital staff go above and beyond to save Christmas for little girl

What began as a nightmare before Christmas became a miracle on Queen’s Boulevard for a Kitchener family last year after their 4-year-old daughter fell ill.

Kevan, his wife Brandie, and daughter Isabelle were enjoying a relaxing Christmas Eve when suddenly the little girl doubled over in pain.

After watching the painful episodes wax and wane for an hour of so, Kevan and his wife decided to head over to the nearby emergency department at St. Mary’s General Hospital to get the girl checked out.

He told The Mike Farwell Show from the second they stepped through the door, their treatment was beyond reproach.

“The doctors, nurses, all the support staff were exceptional. Because of the extra steps they took, because of the patient-focused care, that community-focused care, that children-focused support, we weren’t overly concerned.”

He said the doctors and nurses took the time to explain everything step by step to not only them but to Isabelle as well. They went so far as to give the girl a stuffed toy to keep her company. The whole experience put them at ease.

As it turns out, the girl was suffering from an intussusception, a fold in the intestine that can cause a blockage. It’s a painful condition that can become serious if not treated.

The ER doctors contacted McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, informing them the girl needed surgery. She was transported to the hospital that night and underwent the minimally invasive procedure.

By the time she woke from the anesthesia, they were back at St. Mary’s and Christmas morning was in full swing.

“Santa makes visits everywhere, right?” Kevan said. “All the patients, all these kids had received presents. We got to experience a really unique and magical moment at St. Mary’s with other parents and kids waking up to see magic and joy, wherever they were in that moment.”

Kevan said St. Mary’s saved not only their daughter, but Christmas for his whole family.

“I just keep going back to how fortunate we are in Waterloo Region to have these amazing levels of care effectively at our doorstep. We were able to take those first steps and be confident in what was to come next.”

Kevan said sometimes people take the hospitals for granted but when we need them, they are always there. He is encouraging people to support the local hospitals when they can by donating to fundraising drives.