It’s not every day that you see a patient on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) walking around the halls of the hospital or taking a turn outside in a wheelchair. Children on this life-supporting device have very sick lungs. Most patients are fully sedated while ECMO assists their lungs in the exchange of blood gasses to properly oxygenate their body and its organs. But Emerson Bellucci is not most patients. 

“People would line the halls when she was up doing therapy,” said Ashlee Bellucci, Emerson’s mother. “Everybody wanted to see because they said this is not your typical ECMO patient. And I said, ‘Well, this is not your typical kid.’”

The 12-year-old from Fort Worth is one-of-a-kind in a lot of ways. Strong, resilient and mature beyond her years, Emerson not only beat the odds on ECMO, she survived a very rare and life-threatening reaction to the common antibiotic Bactrim, which she was prescribed to treat a staph infection she developed from cystic acne. The reaction is so rare, in fact, that few studies on the condition exist.

In 2023, physicians from Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics in Kansas City, Missouri, published a review of five cases of severe lung inflammation following the use of Bactrim, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Like several in this case study, in the early days of Emerson’s reaction, her symptoms of fever, rash and difficulty breathing were initially thought to be the result of a viral infection. But her breathing became so labored that she was admitted to Cook Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) on August 18, 2024, where her care was overseen by a team of intensive care physicians and consulting specialists, including Javier Gelvez, M.D., pediatric intensivist, Krishna Pancham, M.D., pulmonologist, and Raymond Nkwantabisa, M.D., ECMO program medical director. In his 28 years of practicing medicine, Emerson is the first patient Dr. Nkwantabisa has treated for Bactrim-induced pneumonitis.

“Basically, Emerson developed severe inflammation in her lungs as a result of getting the Bactrim,” Dr. Nkwantabisa said. “This inflammation ended up causing pretty severe lung injury and damage to the air sacs in the lungs, resulting in pretty severe air leaks that required the placement of chest tubes to allow the air to escape from her lungs.”

Despite the chest tube placement and subsequently being placed on a ventilator, Emerson’s lungs were so inflamed that no amount of ventilator support could move air in and out of her lungs adequately to support her oxygen levels.

“We all need a certain amount of healthy air sacs to be able to breathe and exchange gases.” Dr. Nkwantabisa explained. “So when you get sick with, for example, very severe pneumonia where you don't have enough healthy open air sacs to exchange gas, we usually will intubate you and put you on a ventilator to breathe for you. But the ventilator only works when you have a reasonable number of healthy air sacs. If every air sac is injured or not working well, then the ventilator is limited in terms of how it can help.”

One day Emerson is a normal pre-teen dealing with all of the things that come with adolescent development and, within a matter of weeks, she’s on life-support with lungs so sick doctors began preparing her and her family for the possibility of needing a lung transplant.

“It's been the worst thing ever I could imagine,” Ashlee said. “But then there's been such high moments, you know, when I see her get up and walk with three ECMO lines in her legs. It's just miraculous.”

A Critical Lifeline

Think of ECMO as an external artificial lung. Tubes are inserted into large blood vessels, like the femoral artery and the femoral vein. Those tubes carry blue blood out of the body and pass it through an external machine that removes carbon dioxide and infuses oxygen into the blood. The oxygenated blood then flows back into the body, delivering vital oxygen to the patient’s organs. It is one of the most advanced forms of life support available.

There are very few patients that meet the criteria for remaining awake while on ECMO, says Danielle Ransonette, Cook Children’s ECMO co-coordinator. For one, the patient must have adequate pain control and tolerance without requiring complete sedation, and that doesn’t happen often, especially in children. The patient also has to be at a developmental level where they can follow directions and be reasoned with to protect the ECMO cannulae. Meeting the criteria meant Emerson had the opportunity to shoot a few basketball hoops, do physical therapy and to stand to hug her parents, all while on ECMO.

Rather than seeing the lung assist device as an obstacle, Emerson saw it as the lifeline that it was, and chose gratitude as her fuel.

“What definitely kept me going is I finally realized that it's my support,” Emerson said. “There was a huge chance I could have been dead without it. And I think that's definitely a huge reason that I'm still going.”

An Elite Force

Cook Children’s has a team of professionals specially trained to operate ECMO, and a member of this team is at the patient’s bedside 24/7 for as long as they are on the device.

Dr. Nkwantabisa likens this team to the military’s Navy SEALs, a team of elite special forces known for conducting high-risk and often covert operations. The ECMO team is called on when things are really dark and dire, he says. They are highly trained, highly competent and very low-key. Like the SEALs, these respiratory therapists and nurses are called away from their daily jobs and units throughout the hospital to accomplish a separate mission to care for an ECMO patient, sometimes for weeks or months on end. When all is said and done, they return to their respective units with little to no fanfare.

“It takes a special kind of person because, not only is it the wear and tear emotionally and physically that you go through, but there's also an intense amount of training that you come in and do over and above your regular scheduled hours,” Ransonette said. “It takes somebody who's truly dedicated, who really wants to further their knowledge and skills and really help take care of these kiddos.”

A Voice for the Voiceless

In late September, while still on ECMO, Emerson was transferred to a pediatric lung transplant center in Houston to prepare for a potential transplant. Once again, she defied the odds. On October 30, she was removed from ECMO and her transplant subsequently denied due to her recovery and progress. 

“It was just such justification for faith and God when we got the [transplant] denial letter,” Ashlee said. “Probably one of the happiest days of my life. Needless to say that that particular letter will be framed and placed at home.”

On December 12, Emerson was transferred back to Cook Children’s and admitted to the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) where her lungs continue to recover as she does daily physical therapy to strengthen her body.

“We consider [Cook Children’s] home,” Ashlee said.

Just as Emerson embraced ECMO as a lifeline, she and her family view her health and healing journey as one with purpose.

“We told Emmie early on when we were all trying to get a grasp on this just sudden change in her health, that God has a plan for her, and that she's got a story to tell when she gets through all of this,” said Robert Dancy, Emerson’s father. “We don't know what it is or how she's going to use it, but she's going to have a story to tell to help other people.”

Part of that story is the role parents and caregivers can play in supporting other children on ECMO. Having experienced ECMO while awake, Emerson was uniquely positioned to share her discomforts, such as feeling cold while on the machine, and how solutions like hot packs and warm blankets helped her feel more comfortable. Emerson hopes to use what she’s learned from the experience to be a voice for the voiceless, guiding caregivers in easing the pain and discomfort of those on ECMO who cannot communicate their needs.

And she has a message for other children facing life-changing circumstances and hardships.

“Never give up,” she said. “You will have days when you don't want to do anything because you're going to feel like you're never enough. But, no matter what, never ever give up. Keep the faith.”

Future doctors make their mark at sites across Cook Children’s Health Care System, where they engage with patients, conduct research and practice their clinical skills.

From the outpatient clinics to the operating rooms and Emergency Department, medical students at Cook Children’s are shown the best practices of pediatric health care in hands-on experiences beyond the classroom.

There were almost 900 medical student rotations from four medical schools at Cook Children’s in the 2023-2024 school year. Students at one of those schools, the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University (TCU), are placed at Cook Children’s at least once during their four-year education

For primary training in the various medical specialties and surgery, the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU uses a unique and innovative model designed to provide long and potentially broad encounters with the same patients over an extended period.

Hannah Fouts Smitherman, M.D., Pediatric Clerkship Director at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, works in the Emergency Department (ED) at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth. Because she has roles in both organizations, she has a unique vantage point for recruiting her hospital colleagues as preceptors, another name for teachers.

“The relationship with Cook Children’s is so pivotal, and our preceptors are amazing educators,” Dr. Smitherman said. “We really couldn’t do it without them.”

Before Nicole Jamieson, M.D., graduated in May 2024, she honed her research know-how by analyzing data related to a specific endocrine disorder, alongside Don Wilson, M.D.

Dr. Jamieson also spent time in Cardiology; Hematology/Oncology; Ear, Nose and Throat; and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She observed how physicians, nurses, dietitians, child life specialists and other staff take a team approach.

“I learned so much about what it means to take care of the whole child and the whole family,” Dr. Jamieson said. “I was inspired across the board by how they make the child feel comfortable, the families feel comfortable. Everyone goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels understood.”

Construction has wrapped up on the new Burnett School of Medicine medical education building named Arnold Hall just a few blocks from our medical center at the corner of South Henderson and West Rosedale streets. Welcoming the medical school to the Medical Innovation District, we want to spotlight the track record of collaboration between TCU and Cook Children’s. Here’s a closer look.

Research and Specialties

During the 2023-2024 academic year, students from the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU contributed across Cook Children’s:   

• 20 students in Special Projects & Thesis research
• 44 students immersed with hospitalists, NICU and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• 27 students in outpatient clinic rotations lasting 40 weeks
• 55 elective rotations in 34 pediatric specialties
• 4 students in psychiatry, neurology and trauma surgery  

One notable example of surgery instruction: two TCU medical students were present in the operating room during the complex and history-making separation of conjoined twins in January 2023.

“We start students seeing patients from Day One so they can start to assimilate the anatomy and physiology they’re learning in the classroom,” Dr. Smitherman said.

She mentors students in the Cook Children’s ED, where they learn to do resuscitations by shadowing the staff. Many parents appreciate the chance to share their point of view, she said. And some children in the ED enjoy showing off their injuries.

“I explain that they’re helping train a doctor, and they puff up with pride,” Dr. Smitherman said.  

Deep and strong ties form between the preceptors and the medical students they mentor.

“It’s a true apprenticeship that fosters the development of the whole physician. They’re not just teaching the skills – it’s the professionalism, it’s how the office works. They get to know the office staff and the families because they get to see repeat patients,” Dr. Smitherman said.

Sandra Peak, M.D. trains TCU medical students at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Lewisville-Castle Hills for 40 weeks. Students see continuity when patients come more than once for routine checkups and sick care. A student might meet a 2-month-old baby, for instance, and then see the same baby again at the 4-month, 6-month and 9-month visits. 

What’s one memory that sticks with her? Seeing an amazed look of understanding when a student in her clinic heard pneumonia in a child’s lungs for the first time.

“His face got concerned, and it was like watching the moment the student become a doctor. It was like a shooting star,” she recalled. “The students bring fresh eyes to things you’ve seen as a doctor over and over again. It’s hard not to be inspired by people who are that excited.” 

Empathetic Scholars®

The Burnett School of Medicine at TCU aims to instill compassion and an aptitude for communication in its students, an approach the school calls Empathetic Scholars®.

Dr. Jamieson said she saw empathy displayed in the Cook Children’s NICU. She remembers in particular one NICU patient who didn’t have family support.

“The nurses and physicians and every ancillary staff loved on this baby and treated him as if he was their own,” she said. “They made sure he was receiving optimal care. People advocated for him as if his family was there.”

Grace Newell, M.D. did research and rotations at Cook Children’s before graduating from the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU in 2023. Her two research projects – in conjunction with Christos Papadelis, Ph.D. and Scott Perry, M.D. – dealt with aspects of epilepsy. The research ignited her passion for child neurology. 

Spirit of Collaboration

James Marshall, M.D. serves as a professor and the academic chair of Pediatrics at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. Most of the approximately 300 faculty members in his department are Cook Children’s physicians – including Dr. Marshall, a Pediatric Critical Care Medicine subspecialist.

Dr. Marshall highlighted the scholarly output that results from the four-year research projects the TCU students conduct at Cook Children’s and other sites. Students develop a hypothesis, pursue the research with the one-on-one assistance of a mentor, and even have their work published or presented nationally. 

“Young people just have that mental plasticity and the time and opportunity to develop questions with physicians,” Dr. Marshall said. “That coming together of young minds and trained wise minds is just super fertile.”

Students aren’t the only ones who value the relationships that develop during medical education. Preceptors appreciate the chance to nurture the up-and-coming doctors. They tell Dr. Marshall that mentoring gives them joy and keeps them sharp. 

The only way to guarantee a steady supply of health care professionals is to train them, he pointed out. There’s still work to do, but Dr. Marshall predicts North Texas will be a leader in forming and retaining the medical professionals of tomorrow. 

“Cook Children’s and the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU have collaborated beautifully on an incredible elevator ride. Who knows where the top is together with the other health care systems in our region?”

By Heather Duge

Valerie Shorten, BSN, RN, and her son, Marquis Shorten, are no strangers to overcoming obstacles. Each one has led them to where they are today.

Marquis faced a life-changing diagnosis at Cook Children’s in 2022 – the same hospital where his mother Valerie works. She was determined to become a nurse after her brother was killed.

“I always thought about what I could have done to help him had I been there,” Valerie said. “That’s when I knew nursing was my calling.”

Nursing Journey

In 2011, Valerie found out about an open position at Cook Children’s – a place she had visited a few years before when Marquis had a minor injury while playing with his brother.

“I remember how caring everyone was and thinking with three boys it was probably not the last time I would be there,” Valerie said.

After 15 months of working in Food Services, she applied for a secretary position in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In May 2021, she graduated from nursing school and started as a nurse resident at Cook Children’s -- 10 years to the day of her first day in the cafeteria. She rotated through all the ICUs and the emergency department in one year. Now she is a nurse in the Cook Children’s NICU.

“I know that no one chooses to come into this hospital,” Valerie said. “You never know what a person is going through, so I make sure I always give the kind of treatment I would want for my child.”

Shocking Diagnosis

In April 2022, Valerie was in the middle of her nursing shift when she received a text from Marquis that read “My spine hurts.” She told him to take ibuprofen since she thought it could be related to his running.

“Marquis is a runner and was No. 1 in the district,” Valerie said. “He was slated to run in the regional meet to see if he would qualify for state. I thought the pain could be from a pulled muscle or running injury.”

Valerie told him to rest and let her know if it worsened. Eventually, Marquis drove himself to the ED at Cook Children’s and at that point could not feel his right leg.

“I met him at the ED but didn’t think it was anything too severe,” Valerie said.

An MRI revealed a spinal epidural hematoma, which is like a pooling of blood on the spine, and Marquis underwent emergency surgery. If too much time passed, Marquis could have become paralyzed.

“Everything was a blur and I remember being overly emotional as Marquis continued to lose the feeling in his legs,” Valerie said. “But I knew he was at the right place.”

Marquis was quickly wheeled to the operating room where Medical Director of Neuro-Trauma, and pediatric neurosurgeon Daniel Hansen, M.D., removed the large blood clot that was compressing the spinal cord.

Recovering Physically and Mentally

Valerie became anxious thinking about Marquis's mental state when he woke up and realized all he worked for was not going to happen that year at the regional track meet, if at all. 

“A nurse pulled his father, DeMario, and me aside and told me that when Marquis woke up, he asked when he would leave that day because he had a track meet in a few days,” Valerie said. “The real pain came when all the times were posted from the race he missed.”

Valerie and DeMario helped Marquis work through his emotions but did not let him stay down too long.

“I told him he could decide to lay there and be sad or decide what’s going to happen next,” Valerie said. “My life motto is that you are the writer of your story.”

Nurses realized how hard it was for Marquis to face the reality that he missed the regional meet and was not sure what running would look like in the future. During the 10-day stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Marquis says the nurses went above and beyond to bring him comfort. On a particularly hard day, the café was out of Chick-fil-A milkshakes, so the nurses gathered all the supplies and made him one.

“They did everything I needed before I even asked for it,” Marquis said. “They fixed my pillows a certain way, brought me the Gatorade flavor I liked with a straw, broke up pills because I couldn’t move my neck to swallow and positioned my toes for me when I couldn’t move them.”

Back on Track

Valerie says everyone was surprised at how fast Marquis progressed. Throughout his healing journey, he used a brace, walker and wheelchair. After lots of hard work in physical therapy, he was cleared to jog four months after surgery and in January 2023 ran in his first race since surgery at Texas Tech University.

“My parents kept me going,” Marquis said. “My track coaches Jesse Heard and Sa’Donna Thornton also were there for me. Coach Heard gave me a love for track and all he instilled in me is a big reason why I treat everyone with kindness. He has sacrificed countless hours just to help me succeed. Coach Thornton played a huge part in helping me gain my confidence back and keep my positive outlook on the situation. I knew God had a plan and it would turn out OK.”

A Lifelong Dream Come True

Marquis says coming back from a major surgery has only made his passion for running stronger, and he wanted to prove to everyone he was just as good. He has accomplished that and more. When he graduated high school in May 2023, he received the Optimist Award. This fall, Marquis will attend Texas Christian University on a full-track scholarship – a goal he set for himself at only 10 years old.

“Marquis decided in fourth grade that he would one day attend TCU,” Valerie said. “Jokingly, I expressed how his father and I did not budget for TCU. At the time, our fourth grader looked at me on the car ride to school and said, ‘Don't worry, I'm going to get a scholarship.’ His dreams came true.”

“The most gratifying part of my job is seeing kids through their illness to the other side,” Dr. Hansen said. “For Marquis, that means a life that is everything he has always wanted.”

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) made school a struggle for 17-year-old Moses Hernandez as far back as kindergarten.

“Basically I was all over the place. I would talk a lot, always. I couldn’t stay focused on one thing,” he remembered. “It was hard for me to listen to the teachers.” At home, he caused trouble.  

Moses came to the Cook Children’s Child Study Center in 2009 for an evaluation that diagnosed him with ADHD and disruptive behavior disorder. Through medication and therapies -- targeting his anger and impulsiveness – Moses’ symptoms diminished while his self-discipline and academic success took off.

He’ll graduate in June from Fort Worth’s Benbrook Middle-High School, where he took rigorous courses such as Advanced Placement calculus, economics and engineering. He played football and wrestled, worked part-time, and won full-ride scholarships to study mechanical engineering at Texas Christian University.

Moses gives credit to the medication and care he received at Cook Children’s to overcome the distractions and behavior problems when he was younger. ADHD is a chronic condition that can’t be cured but managed. This article explains the complex challenges and the treatments that can help patients like Moses and their families.

Focus and Self-Control

In elementary school, Moses and his brother lived with their grandfather. Their grandfather tried to read with Moses and go over the homework. But Moses wasn’t interested in school, and his grades showed it.   

“I was like, ‘I am not doing this work. Why do I have to study?’ I would fail every word test,” he said.

Staff at the Child Study Center began working with Moses to rein in his ADHD and disruptive behavior. The first medications prescribed made him prone to crying and staring at the wall, he said. At a reduced dosage, he felt better.    

Meanwhile, the death of his grandfather created more difficulties. A cousin, Jenean McDowell, became the boys’ guardian in 2014. Jenean recalls Moses arguing about chores, rebelling, picking on his brother, and even climbing on the roof. “He was a rough piece of work,” she said.

Moses was additionally diagnosed with adjustment disorder, defined as an unhealthy or excessive reaction to a stressful event or life change. He also suffered from mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Therapists at the Child Study Center coached Moses on coping skills and techniques to calm himself down. Jenean noticed greater motivation, organization and cooperation after about one year.

“He didn’t talk back anymore. He didn’t sneak around and tear things up. He decided he liked straight As,” she said. “He’s like a totally different kid.”

Moses explained that the medications he takes allow him to focus on tasks. He describes himself as more in control of his emotions, less likely to “do something that’s really dumb” on a whim. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, he temporarily quit taking his medication as an experiment. But without the meds, he said, he couldn’t sit still or stop himself from aggravating his brother.

Therapy sessions over the years at the Child Study Center taught him to think through his options before acting impulsively. He learned breathing techniques to manage his anger. Although he didn’t initially want the treatment, and the medication caused some side effects early on, now he encourages others with ADHD to consider the meds as a tool.    

Moses remains energetic and – as he puts it -- goofy and excitable. He’s also confident in the classroom, a leader on the wrestling mat, and a hard worker who aspires to start his own business by the time he’s 30. He’s grateful for Jenean’s love and the Child Study Center’s expertise.

Becky Neander, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, joined Moses’ care team in 2017, providing resources and medication oversight. She sees him as an example of tenacity and hope for those who deal with ADHD and behavior disorders.

“I could not be more proud of Moses,” Neander said. “He has achieved so much already, and I look forward to hearing about all of his successes as a TCU Horned Frog!”

Moses takes Concerta (a stimulant) and Intuiv (a nonstimulant that requires careful monitoring for a potential drop in blood pressure) once a day. Checkups at the Child Study Center every three months have helped keep Moses’ medications at the right level, and his behavior in check, Jenean said. “It really 100% worked. That is what saved us.” She offered this advice to caregivers and parents: “Don’t give up.”

Understanding ADHD

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -5^th edition lists several criteria for diagnosing ADHD in children and adolescents, including these signs:

• Inattention: Seeming to not listen; careless mistakes; frequently losing things; getting sidetracked; forgetfulness  
• Hyperactivity and impulsivity: Fidgeting; difficulty staying seated; running and climbing at inappropriate times; interrupting and blurting out; difficulty waiting their turn
• Multiple symptoms have been present for at least six months; symptoms are inappropriate for the child’s development level; symptoms interfere with school, friendships or work activities.

Treatment plans for teens and children ages 6 and up often take a combined approach of medications, behavior management and behavioral classroom interventions. For preschool-aged children, behavior therapy is recommended as the first line of ADHD treatment.

Up to 80% of children with ADHD report improvement when taking stimulants, the most widely used ADHD medications, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Because stimulants can affect appetite, sleep and weight, patients must be closely monitored so that adjustments can be made if needed. 

Neander said scientific studies have shown differences in the neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells, as well as in brain structure and operation in children with ADHD. The executive function works like the brain’s manager, she said. Impairment to executive function can cause the inattention and/or hyperactivity typically associated with ADHD, as well as other issues. 

“Executive functions help people organize, regulate attention, make decisions, problem-solve, keep information in immediate memory, manage time, control emotions and motivation and control impulses,” Neander pointed out. Possible concurrent symptoms along with ADHD can include aggressive behaviors, anxiety, low self-esteem and learning disabilities.

An estimated 5% of children worldwide are diagnosed with ADHD. Parents with concerns should talk to their child’s pediatrician. Diagnosis can be made by a primary care provider or mental health professional. 

Services at the Child Study Center

The Child Study Center at Cook Children’s is a comprehensive hub for diagnosing and managing a wide range of developmental disorders including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder and intellectual disabilities

“We start by educating the caregivers on the child’s particular symptoms or difficulties, so they have a better understanding of the cause of each child’s behavior,” Neander said. “We then manage the medications that help with impulsivity or other behaviors.  We can provide therapy/counseling through our psychology department or with outside referrals.  We also can work with the school on behavior plans/interventions.”

Neander saluted Moses’ grandparents and cousin for supporting him along the way. Parents, grandparents and guardians are the strongest advocates for their children, she said. 

“It is vital that caregivers educate themselves on their child’s diagnosis, what to expect, and how they can help at home or through the school. We provide resources, but families must take an active role in their child’s management,” she said. “We must work as a team for the child to be successful in school, with friendships, and eventually as independent adults with the tools they are given.” 

The Star-Telegram reports that Tarrant County Public Health officials are working to identify any Texas Christian University students who may have been exposed to the mumps. Currently, no other cases have been reported, but symptoms can take as long as 25 days to develop after exposure.

This is another reminder about the value of vaccination in preventing what can be serious illness. Mumps cases decreased 99 percent after the introduction of a successful strategy for vaccination.

Mumps can be prevented with the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.

Health officials hope that no other cases will occur because of the TCU campus' high vaccination rate.

The CDC states that a "mumps outbreak can occur any time of year. A major factor contributing to outbreaks is being in a crowded environment, such as attending the same class, playing on the same sports team, or living in a dormitory with a person who has the mumps. Also, certain behaviors that result in exchanging saliva, such as kissing or sharing utensils, cups, lips balm or cigarettes, migh increase spread of the virus. in some years, there are more cases of mumps that usual because of outbreaks."

Here's a quick look at mumps cases over the years according to the CDC:

*Case count is preliminary and subject to change

** Cases as of Jan. 27, 2018 Case count is preliminary and subject to change

For More Information:

• Tarrant County Public Health Department
• CDC Mumps Cases and Outbreaks
• About Mumps (CDC)
• Mumps Vaccination

Dr. Rogers, a Cook Children’s pediatrician, was in the stands with her family on Saturday, watching TCU’s incredible triple overtime 47-41 victory against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

During the dramatic second-half comeback, Dr. Rogers knew right away that her celebration while the Frogs were on offense drew the attention of ESPN’s national broadcast because her phone began blowing up with text messages.

But then, she went viral.

The website sbnation.com posted a GIF of Dr. Rogers celebrating and her daughter Dianna, 20 and a TCU sophomore, calming her mom down. After all, you don’t cheer while your team’s offense is on the field, right?

“It’s hard for fans to be quiet when your team is making a 2^nd half comeback, thanks in part, to Gary Patterson’s change of shirt,” is how the website described Dr. Rogers’ celebration. “This TCU lady is one of those fans, and her fellow TCU fans quickly reminded her that **whispers** you gotta stay quiet when your offense is on the field.”

So how does this "TCU lady" feel about going viral?

“A little freaked out, but it’s also pretty funny,” Dr. Rogers said. “Especially since I’m not on any of those things where people watch those videos like Facebook or Twitter. It kind of weirded me out a little because we are there at a football game and then the next thing you know it’s all over the Twitter world. But that’s the way it is now. I’m OK. It makes me laugh.”

Checkup Daily articles featuring Dr. Rogers:

• Is 13 too young?
• Asthma and your child
• Should you immunize
• Does my child need antibiotics?

About the source

Dr. Audrey Rogers was born in Odessa, Texas and attended school at Highland Park High School in Dallas. Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., her medical degree at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, and completed her pediatrics training at Children's Hospital of Oklahoma.

Her special interests are behavioral pediatrics and adolescent medicine. She became board certified in 1989. Dr. Rogers has been active in the Fort Worth community, serving as a board member for the Child Study Center and Hill School.

So why did the Tarrant County Health Department just announce that there is a case of rubella in a Texas Christian University student?

Unfortunately, the student returned from a part of the world where rubella continues to be an ongoing concern. The World Health Organization states that rubella continues to cause infection in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. Despite the fact that rubella is no longer transmitted in the United States, an average of 10 cases of rubella are diagnosed here each year from travelers who bring it back from affected areas.

Don’t get me wrong, rubella is a big deal. Prior to the vaccination, it used to cause millions of cases per year around the world. The most severe complication from rubella is congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) which can affect the babies of women who contract rubella during the first three months of their pregnancy. Children born with CRS are at risk for growth problems, developmental delays and other birth defects.

We should definitely be aware that there is a case of rubella in our area, but I’m advising parents not to panic about their children getting rubella.

Here are the 2 main reasons why I’m choosing not to panic:

1. Rubella is a mild illness in children. It can start with a mild fever (but often doesn’t) and then causes a rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. Other complications from rubella are very rare and are more likely to happen in teenagers and adults.

2. Rubella vaccine works very well. After the first dose of the rubella vaccine (given at 1 year), 90-95 percent of children are protected. After the 4-year booster dose, protection gets much closer to 100 percent. If your child is vaccinated, they are most likely protected. As with anything, the vaccination is not perfect so we are relying on each individual person getting vaccinated to help protect their neighbors from an outbreak. Despite the fact that cases of rubella have been imported into the United States, no outbreaks have occurred, thanks to our relatively high immunization levels.

Children (or adults) who are infected by rubella can spread the disease via droplets spread by sneezing or coughing. We recommend all children be vaccinated against rubella. The vaccination helps prevent children from getting the disease and it also helps protect anyone they may come in contact with, including pregnant women.

Pregnant women with rubella run the risk of potentially having a baby with congenital rubella syndrome.

As always, if you are pregnant (especially in the first three months), use caution around sick individuals especially those with a rash. If you already have a baby, you were likely checked for rubella immunity at the delivery and your doctor should have the results of that test. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, a doctor can check your immunity level now so that you can be vaccinated prior to getting pregnant.

Let’s not panic about rubella at TCU. If your child is starting classes there, feel free to send them on (I’ll be on campus for a meeting today if that gives you any peace of mind). Let’s be aware. We’ll follow the story and notify you if there are any updates or new reasons to be concerned.

More resources:

• Rubella
• Frequently asked questions about immunization
• Measles: Just a plane ride away
• Should you immunize?

Today, we give you a look into the lives of Galen and Taylor. Both are connected as not only TCU sorority sisters, but cancer patients and members of the Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)  program at Cook Children's. 

Galen Storey is a 21-year old student at TCU. She was diagnosed with cancer in December 2014. She has allowed us to use one of her blogs to give an inside look at her fight against cancer and then Taylor, who is 18 and also at TCU, gives us insight into what the AYA Program has done for her with a video blog.

Each year about 70,000 Americans between the ages of 15 and 39 learn they have cancer. Here are two young people who have allowed us to share their stories.

Fighting cancer with Grace

The day I went in for my first chemo treatment at Cook Children’s, the doctor had a meeting with me to prepare me as best as he could. For my cancer there is a certain protocol/regimen that consists of treatment different chemo meds, 42 treatments of weekly chemo, and radiation for about 6 weeks (starting at week 15).

Holy crap.

The doctors can go over every side effect in the book and then some but there are some things they can't prepare you for. My friend Grace said it best when she said, "There is no guidebook to cancer" and it's so true. Shout out to Grace for being my built-in therapist. One day people will have to pay her to tell them how they feel and I won't.

I've thought about this post for a while and about certain things that have happened that I wasn't fully prepared for. I've decided I could make a booklet filled with these things but instead I have narrowed it down to a few I will share with y'all:

If they could also give you a step by step plan on how to tell someone you have cancer that would've been sooo Gucci because let me tell you, it is awkward. Grace and I kinda laugh about it now because she's had to break the news to more people than I have.

There's no easy way to do it. It's a bomb, a word bomb and you kinda just have to say it, "I have cancer" and the people we're talking to more times than not gets an awkwardly sympathetic, but at the same time terrified look on their face. But I have to remind myself I wouldn't know what to do if someone dropped that bomb on me.

He told me I would lose my hair. I knew I would lose my hair, but I still wasn't prepared for how it felt when I pulled a chunk of my own hair out of my head. Buzzing it off still feels like a surreal experience and sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm bald. (That's for a whole other blog post though.) They also don't tell you that you will lose your nose hairs … like what? ... But y'all nose hairs are important. I miss them. Not having nose hairs means your sinuses get super dry and irritated and you get the most annoying headaches. Be thankful for your nose hairs people!

They tell you that you will feel weak and sick and have no energy, but other than that they can't explain how it will really feel. Thinking about it now, it's hard to explain myself. The days after chemo feel like a nasty hangover … minus the fun night before. The weakness is from a mixture of nasty meds and weight loss. The other day I got a pan of brownies out of the oven and could hardly lift the thing. I think the strength I had to get it out was fueled by my chocolate craving. Having no energy is really hard for me. Not that I was super active before cancer but being so tired that I get out of breath walking from one end of the house to the other is hard. I see people on runs outside and I get jealous. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be jealous of someone running.

They don't prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster that you involuntarily get in line for the day you are diagnosed with cancer. They say "you will have good days and bad days.” They should tell you that bad days begin when you wake up from good dreams to remember that you're sick. On bad days you will want to hide under the covers and cry. On bad days you can't eat or sleep or even walk. Bad days will drain you. Good days will fill you up again, with visits from friends and good weather and pizza and a simple trip out of the house. I cherish the good days and try to find joy in simple things like cheese fries

Needles. You'd think I'd be used to them by now … Nope.

Lastly, I wasn't prepared for the support I have received. I wasn't prepared for you, you people reading this and praying for me and keeping in touch with me.

From day one I was overwhelmed by the texts I got from people … most of which I forget to respond to, I'm the worst texter … I'm sorry! But a simple text is one of the things I find joy in. I am amazed every day by the people that reach out to me, people that don't even know me, people that have been affected by my words or affected by cancer themselves. I have a drawer full of the cards that I've gotten and soon that drawer won't be big enough.

If beating cancer was a sport it would be a team sport. I don't think anyone can truly do this alone and I am so beyond grateful that I don't have to.

At the end of the day all volunteers were offered a chance to take our own ECGs. I got a knot in my stomach but I didn’t want to be a hypocrite, having told everybody how important screening is and then not doing it myself. I took my ECG and showed it to the cardiologist from Cook Children’s in order for him to tell me I was allowed to go home for the day. After this nothing went like it was supposed to.

I saw it in his face right away. It was like a sledgehammer to the head. This was not how I planned my day. I only took the ECG so I would know that nothing was wrong. There were no other options.

The cardiologist asked me to sit while he explained everything very carefully. I was diagnosed with a very rare but potentially deadly heart condition called Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW).

The only feeling was disbelief; I never thought it would have been me. It took me several days to fully grasp the fact that I had been diagnosed with something that had gone unnoticed my whole life. I had incredible support from the people closest to me and could not have gone through this without them, but I opted out of telling my peers about what had happened. I felt that if everybody knew, it might make it real. I could not allow myself to believe the truth at that point.

I had a heart ablation this summer and I was declared healthy a few months later. Now I notice the difference every day. I’ve had strange palpitations as long as I remember but I never thought anything was wrong. That’s how my heart had felt my whole life; I thought it was normal. It was not until they were gone that I could feel how a heart is supposed to feel.

I go back to that day at Cook Children’s a lot and wonder how my life might have been different. I might still not know. I would have been happy not knowing. I might never have known; but what if I would have found out after it was already too late? There is a chance that I would never have had any problems, but there is a chance that waking up that morning saved my life. I’m happy that I don’t have to guess between the two because now I know which option I chose: I chose to do something about it.

For more information

Mia Eriksson wrote this blog for us in 2013. We thought Heart month would be a good time to revisit her important story. Cook Children's Fort Worth and Arlington locations are offering FREE sports EKGs during the month of February. with a referral Heart conditions in children and young adults go undetected too often. Early detection could save your child's life! Learn more about Cook Children's Heart Center by clicking here.