A Broader Scope

McLeod Digestive Health Centers Offer Innovative Diagnostics and Specialized Care.

Of the many health concerns facing the people of northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina, gastrointestinal (GI) conditions are some of the most common. Gastroenterologists are specially trained physicians who treat patients with these diagnoses. To bring quality physicians, collaborative approaches and the most innovative tools to combat these concerns, McLeod Health and McLeod Physician Associates have established the McLeod Digestive Health Center in Florence and the McLeod Digestive Health Center Seacoast in Little River.

The McLeod Digestive Health Center in Florence follows the merger of two existing physician practices and the arrival of newly recruited interventional physicians to the area. The six physician team is comprised of Dr. Deepak Chowdhary, Dr. Jeffrey J. Dorociak, Dr. Veeral Oza, Dr. Davinderbir Pannu, Dr. Timothy Spurling, and Dr. John Wolford. Dr. Khaled Elraie serves patients in Little River at McLeod Digestive Health Center Seacoast.

“McLeod Physician Associates is committed to providing physicians to meet the healthcare needs of the people in the communities we serve,” said Dane Ficco, Senior Vice President for McLeod Physician Associates. “We know that the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions is a great need in the region, and our McLeod Digestive Health Centers ensure that physicians are available to care for these patients.”

As board certified gastroenterologists, these physicians treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The conditions treated include Hepatitis, Reflux, Peptic Ulcer Disease, Colitis, Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and pancreatitis. These gastroenterologists are also leaders of teams fighting cancer of the colon, intestine, and GI tract.

The most common procedures performed to diagnose and treat these conditions are called endoscopy -- tests that allow the physician to look inside the body by inserting instruments through the mouth or anus without making incisions. For many patients these procedures, especially a colonoscopy, means staving off cancer before it strikes.

“The gold standard for diagnosis of colon cancer is colonoscopy. There are other tests available but they are not as reliable or effective as colonoscopy,” said Dr. Chowdhary. “I know that it is not on anyone’s list of things to do for fun, but it does save lives. In fact, it is one of the few diagnostic procedures known to save lives. During the procedure polyps may be removed. Usually by looking at the polyps at the time of the test, we can tell how advanced they are and how likely they are to be cancerous. Most of the time, the polyps are small and can be removed during the colonoscopy before they can become cancerous.”

In Good Hands

McLeod Surgeons Work As One

On Monday, January 16, 2017, after enjoying an Atlanta Falcons playoff football game
with his sons the day before, Bennettsville resident Sully Blair began experiencing severe
abdominal pain during the drive back home. Sully powered through the six-hour trip
and upon arriving home that afternoon greeted his wife, Erin, and then went to lie
down in hopes the pain would subside.

Around 8:00 that evening, Erin grew concerned over her husband’s pain and insisted that he go to the Emergency Department. However, Sully preferred to stay home and “sleep it off.” He assured Erin that he would see his primary care physician if he had no relief by morning. At 11:30 p.m., Sully woke in agony and asked his wife to take him to the Emergency Department.

“As usual, I should have listened to my wife from the beginning,” said Sully. Sully and Erin arrived at the McLeod Health Cheraw Emergency Department (ED) around midnight, and Sully was admitted within minutes.

Upon admission, Sully underwent a CT scan and received pain medication.

“Things moved so quickly,” recalled Sully, who had never been hospitalized due to an illness. “Erin and I felt overwhelmed and anxious, but we knew we were in good hands.”

Mike Hutson, a registered nurse in the ED, played an instrumental role in easing Sully’s anxiety. With a kind and empathetic demeanor, Mike consistently communicated with Sully as the team of clinicians worked to determine the cause of his pain.

“I could only describe Mike as compassionate, kind, and intentional,” said Sully. “His constant reassurance helped calm our fears.”

Moments later, Dr. Timothy Holdredge, a McLeod Health Cheraw Emergency Department Physician, greeted the couple and examined Sully. He then reviewed the results of the CT scan.

“Dr. Holdredge diagnosed me with appendicitis and explained that I would need emergency surgery,” said Sully. “He verbally walked me through the entire process so I knew exactly what to expect.”

As the surgical team prepped Sully for surgery, Dr. Henry Jordan, a General Surgeon with McLeod Surgery Bennettsville, spoke with him about the procedure as well as the recovery process. “Dr. Jordan was knowledgeable and understanding with a wonderful bedside manner,” recalled Sully. “His approach not only helped quell my anxiety, but also helped my wife.”

During Sully’s surgery, Dr. Jordan realized that what would typically be a routine appendectomy would prove to be more challenging. Due to the positioning of Sully’s appendix, Dr. Jordan called in General Surgeon Dr. Salim Ghorra, McLeod Surgery Cheraw, to assist with the surgery. Both surgeons worked in concert to successfully remove Sully’s appendix.

“My first recollection after the operation was Dr. Ghorra giving me a thumbs up in the recovery room,” chuckles Sully. “I immediately felt relieved, knowing that everything would be okay.” From recovery, Sully moved to an inpatient room, where the nursing staff continued to monitor his progress for the remainder of his hospital stay. He recalls their timely rounding to check on his pain tolerance, comfort levels and what he considers the “necessary things.”

“The nurses and clinical staff I encountered at McLeod Health Cheraw were some of the most compassionate, friendliest and attentive professionals I could have ever asked for,” said Sully. Prior to his discharge from the hospital, Sully received concise instructions from Dr. Ghorra regarding the benchmarks he must meet to go home.

“I followed every word of direction from Dr. Ghorra and Dr. Jordan, and especially worked through any discomfort to get up and walk around every few hours,” recalled Sully. “I focused solely on returning home to my family.” Two days later, Dr. Ghorra discharged Sully.

Sully attributes a surprisingly quick recovery to rigorously adhering to the guidelines given by Dr. Ghorra and Dr. Jordan. Within four weeks, Sully returned to all his normal activities.

“I chose McLeod Health Cheraw for its convenient location and quality care, and looking back on my experience at the hospital, I cannot say enough about the care and special attention I received as a patient,” said Sully. “I also find comfort in knowing that McLeod Health Cheraw is part of a healthcare system -- McLeod Health -- which has a tremendous reputation for quality and safety.”

All McLeod Health hospitals share the same mission -- to improve the overall health and well-being of people living within South Carolina and eastern North Carolina by providing excellence in health care.

“A simple thank you cannot adequately describe our appreciation for Dr. Ghorra, Dr. Jordan, Dr. Holdredge, Mike Hutson, RN, and all of the nursing staff on the Medical Surgical floor,” said Sully. “I also appreciate how McLeod Health continues to invest in both of our communities -- Cheraw and Bennettsville -- with the addition of physicians, services and enhanced facilities.”

Today, Sully has a clean bill of health and enjoys the same activities as before his emergency appendectomy -- traveling, boating, and most importantly, spending time with his wife Erin and his sons, Kyle, 19, and Grey, 11.

Exceptional Surgical Abilities Coupled with Enhanced Technology

ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY PROVIDES OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS

Healing comes in many forms. It can be physical. It can be emotional. It can be spiritual. Surgeons are healers of the body. Their minds are sharp and incisive and their hands are strong and steady. They use instruments and techniques to restore the body and reduce pain.

McLeod Surgeons utilize the latest surgical advances and techniques and have access to the finest in technology and surgical equipment. Their abilities evolve with the development of new instruments, procedures and processes.

Surgery, like all fields of medicine, is forever changing. There are choices for patients: traditional open surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery or robotic-assisted surgery. Today, surgeons are performing procedures that offer shorter hospital stays, smaller scars, less pain and a quicker return to normal activities.

In minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon performs the procedure through tiny incisions with the use of minimally invasive instruments. The instruments function as the surgeon’s hands and a laparoscopic camera allows the surgeon to view the inside of the body. The camera’s image is projected onto a monitor in the operating room for the surgeon to view while performing the surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery. It allows the surgeon to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with traditional techniques.

Like minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted surgery is performed through a few small incisions. During surgery, the surgeon controls the robot’s every move while seated at a console in the operating room. The surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements guide the robot manipulating the surgical instruments inside the patient. The robot becomes an extension of the surgeon’s hands. The surgeon views the surgical site through a high-definition 3-D camera. This magnified imagery provides enhanced visibility and improved precision for exact treatment and greater dexterity for the surgeon.

At McLeod, robotic-assisted surgery is a team approach with a designated team of operating room staff specially trained to work with each surgeon and surgical specialty. The robotic-assisted surgical team consists of a physician assistant, operating room nurses, and surgical technologists in addition to the surgeon.

According to many surgeons, roboticassisted surgery has taken minimally invasive surgery to the next level. This technology is exciting for both physicians and patients when this type of procedure meets the appropriate criteria for that standard of care. In all surgical cases, superlative outcomes are based on the skills and expertise through the hands of a great surgeon.

Robotic-assisted surgery provides many benefits to the patient including:

• Less Pain
• Minimal Scarring
• Shorter Hospital Stay
• Faster Recovery
• Quicker Return to Normal Activities
• Less Blood Loss

Conditions treated include:

• Hernia
• Gallbladder
• Colon Cancer
• Reflux Disease
• Prostate Cancer
• Kidney Disease
• Lung Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Tumors
• Congenital or Acquired
• Ureter Disease
• Bladder Cancer
• Vaginal Prolapse
• Endometriosis
• Hysterectomy

 

Performing robotic-assisted surgery requires the expertise of a highly skilled operating room team. These well-trained teams at McLeod Regional Medical Center and McLeod Seacoast support all robotic-assisted trained surgeons during each robotic procedure. The members of the McLeod teams underwent extensive training with other robotic surgical teams. Each member worked with their respective counterparts to learn their role. Once trained individually, the group trained together to unify their expertise and work as one unit. The team supports the surgeon and the surgeon relies on the team and trusts in their knowledge and skill. Each person is valuable and essential to ensuring quality of care and safety for the patient.

We turned a One-Pound Bundle into Joy

Born 13 weeks premature weighing just one pound, Christina Feistel has been beating the odds since day one. “I couldn’t believe someone so tiny could survive. Her faint cry sounded like a kitten,” recalls her mother, Abby. Christina was born with severely under-developed and damaged lungs. As Christina entered the world, the expert McLeod Neonatal Intensive Care team went to work facing every challenge head on without ever giving up. Under the skilled care of Neonatologist Dr. Douglas Moeckel, Christina was given the life-saving care and support she needed to survive. Now a thriving three-year-old, Christina has an incredible story to tell and her parents have a bundle of joy to love and cherish.

Fred Kristensen

Fred Kristensen had a passion for flying planes until he began having difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and was put on oxygen. Fred was told that his only long-term hope was to receive a lung transplant. Before being eligible for a lung transplant, he was referred to McLeod Health Cheraw for pulmonary rehabilitation to improve his lung function and condition him for the transplant. Under the skilled care of Sonny Usher, Director of McLeod Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Cheraw, a customized exercise and training program was designed to help Fred achieve the best results.

“Because of Sonny and the McLeod team, I was properly conditioned and ready to receive my new lung,” says Fred. After a successful lung transplant, Fred continues maintenance rehabilitation with McLeod and is able to breathe easy while in his pilot seat.

The Miracle of Family

Michael and Amy Gaines of Darlington longed for a family. After five long years of struggling to conceive, the couple learned that they were pregnant.

Ecstatic and overjoyed, Michael and Amy spent the next nine months preparing to bring their daughter, Isabella, into the world.

Amy experienced a healthy pregnancy and underwent routine weekly appointments with her obstetrician as she neared the end of her pregnancy. She and Michael grew anxious with anticipation over meeting their daughter face-to-face.

“At 38 weeks, we went to my doctor’s appointment, and that was the moment our lives changed forever,” recalls Amy. “The doctor could not find a heartbeat. “We lost Isabella on January 22, 2014 due to an umbilical cord accident. She was stillborn.”

Completely devastated, Michael and Amy describe the next few hours, days, weeks and months as excruciatingly painful.

“I hope to never feel this kind of hurt again,” explains Michael. “It’s a hurt you never truly get over. It hurts still today.”

“In the days and months after we lost our sweet Isabella, just breathing was a struggle,” recalls Amy. “Every breath I took was one she never had a chance to take. My heart and arms ached for her, and still do.”

Several months later, Amy learned that she was pregnant again. Sadly, at seven weeks gestation, Amy began experiencing complications on Christmas Eve and miscarried on December 31, 2014.

“Amy and I discussed the possibility of another loss in an attempt to prepare ourselves, but the miscarriage still hurt a great deal,” says Michael.

“2014 was a terrible year for us, and I could not wait to get past it,” states Amy.

The couple tried to conceive for another year and ultimately decided to begin the adoption process in December 2015.

One month later, on January 16, 2016, Amy discovered she was pregnant.

“I felt like it was a sign from Isabella – her birthday gift to us,” says Amy.

Due on September 22, Amy and Michael decided to proceed with adoption since they were told an adoption match could take up to two years. They had also discussed this option while trying to conceive the first time.

“Over the next several months, Michael and I joked about adopting and having babies close together, and God gave us exactly what we asked for,” says Amy.

On August 16, they received a call confirming a match with a full-term mother, due on August 28, Amy’s birthday.

Initially, the couple could not make sense of adopting a baby within a few weeks of having their own. As they talked it over, however, they both felt an overwhelming sense of this being the right moment to adopt.

On September 1, 2016, they received a call to come to the hospital. Upon their arrival, they met the birth mother and their precious daughter, Kennedy Reid.

“Words cannot describe the moment I first held Kennedy,” recalls Michael. “I simply remember looking at her and thinking, ‘she is mine.’ It was love at first sight.”

The next three weeks stirred many emotions for Michael and Amy – from absolute delight over their newborn to concern over delivering a happy, healthy baby.

Amy recalls tender moments of comforting Kennedy when she would cry and feeling her unborn baby squirm inside her belly.

On September 14, just thirteen days after the birth of Kennedy, Michael and Amy arrived at McLeod Regional Medical Center to deliver their second daughter, Lillie Mae.

“Because of our previous losses, Michael and I tried to remain positive, but could not help feeling nervous and concerned,” says Amy.

“Several staff members who were involved in my care knew our story,” she continues. “They empathized with me and showed so much understanding and compassion throughout the entire process.”

Being away from Kennedy also added another element of anxiety for the couple. The week before, Michael learned that the hospital policy did not allow children to stay overnight, so he and Amy made arrangements for Kennedy to stay with Michael’s sister. However, the two did not want to be separated from her so soon after her birth.

Once they were at the hospital, Michael and Amy shared with a few staff members that they had just adopted a newborn thirteen days ago.

As they prepared to enter the operating room for the C-section, they learned that the Women’s Services department was granting special permission for Kennedy to stay with them during their hospital stay.

The news immediately eased their minds and allowed them to focus on the next few moments when they held Lillie in their arms for the first time.

“The first time I held her, an overwhelming peace came over me. We immediately fell in love with her,” says Amy. Soon after, the family of four were in a room together.

“It meant the world to us that the hospital staff allowed us to stay together,” explains Amy. “After all the struggle, worry, and loss, we finally made it. We were a family.”

Committed to family-centered care, McLeod Women’s Services emphasizes the importance of allowing families to stay together during the entire birthing experience – from birth to recovery – making patients feel more ‘at home’ and creating an environment in which the family can bond.

This practice, commonly referred to as rooming-in, enables families to be active participants in the care of their new baby and take part in every special moment from the beginning.

Bonding occurs in several ways, including skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.

During skin-to-skin, the baby (bare skin) is placed onto the mother’s – and father’s – bare chest. Skin-to-skin begins as soon after birth as possible and offers many benefits to both mother and baby, such as promoting a special and loving bond with the baby, calming the baby so she cries less, as well as controlling the baby’s body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar levels.

Amy also received support from a Board Certified Lactation Consultant to breastfeed both Kennedy and Lillie together.

“The entire experience helped us bond as a family,” says Amy. “It was critical to me and Michael that we establish an early bond with both of our girls.

“We cannot thank the hospital staff enough for allowing us to stay together as a family,” she continues. “The compassionate, quality care made the difference for us.”

Three days later, Michael and Amy took their new family home.

“We finally felt complete,” says Michael. Since that day, the Gaines family has treasured every moment – big and small – creating memories to last a lifetime.

One of Michael’s favorite memories thus far was Halloween, when he and Amy dressed as farmers while Kennedy and Lillie were dressed as two “peas in a pod” for their church’s trunk-or-treat.

“This past Christmas also held special meaning for us,” recalled Amy. “We had such hopes when we lost both our daughter Isabella and our second pregnancy, and then to celebrate a few years later with two children filled us with overwhelming joy.”

As Kennedy and Lillie approach their first birthday, they spend their days laughing and playing together, enjoying a bond so few siblings have the opportunity to experience.

“We think back to how our story unfolded, and although there were many difficult moments, we could not be happier to have our two beautiful daughters,” adds Amy.

A Pelvic Health Story – Poonkulali Suresh

By Jessica Wall

Imagine living with the constant worry of whether you might experience the loss of bladder control – the fear of an accident happening, or the embarrassment when it does.

Unfortunately, this is a real concern that millions of women face on a daily basis, often resulting in a diminished quality of life.

Yet most women suffer these symptoms in silence, believing the idea that “this is a normal part of aging.”

In fact, studies reveal that only ten percent of women with a bladder control problem seek help, and most wait an average of more than six years before doing so.

Poonkulali Suresh knew this statistic all too well. A 47-year-old mother of two, Poonkulali began experiencing bladder control problems about ten years after the birth of her second child.

“The leakage was minimal at first, occurring only when I laughed or coughed,” she said. “However, the symptoms gradually worsened to the point that I was leaking constantly, and it began to affect every part of my life, even my sleep. That was the moment I reached out to my doctor.”

In 2007, Poonkulali discussed her symptoms with her gynecologist and was referred to a urologist, where she was diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), or involuntary urine leakage during physical movement, such as coughing or sneezing.

The urologist recommended surgery as her best option; however she was reluctant to the idea of surgery and chose instead to try medication. The medication temporarily helped Poonkulali’s symptoms, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. Then, in 2011, she met Dr. Gary Emerson of McLeod OB/GYN Associates.

“Dr. Emerson was wonderful,” said Poonkulali. “During my first visit with him, Dr. Emerson brought attention to the SUI diagnosis in my medical record and explained more about the condition. Then, he said he could treat it.”

Treatment involved surgery, which still made Poonkulali nervous. However, over the next few years, Dr. Emerson continued to encourage the procedure.

“Poonkulali was the perfect candidate for the suburethral sling procedure,” said Dr. Emerson. “We performed urodynamic testing in our office, which is a simple test that measures how the bladder functions. During the test, Poonkulali experienced urinary leakage, which was a strong indication that surgery was in fact her best option.”

At her appointment earlier this year in January, Poonkulali decided it was time to have the surgery.

“I had complete confidence in Dr. Emerson,” said Poonkulali. “His gentle encouragement and in-depth explanation of what to expect before, during and after the surgery convinced me to go through with it.”

“During the suburethral sling procedure, a tape-like material is placed underneath the urethra, and then each end of the material is anchored to the pubic bone,” explained Dr. Emerson. “This ‘hammock’ effect provides the support necessary to eliminate urinary leakage.”

On February 5, Poonkulali underwent surgery, which proved to be successful.

“For me, the surgery worked fantastic,” she said. “My quality of life is so much higher now. I can jump, cough, laugh, and even sleep without fear or worry.

“Only those who have experienced bladder control problems can understand how enjoyable life is without leakage.”

Since her surgery, Poonkulali has been open about sharing her story with her friends, and to her amazement, discovered that many of them were suffering in silence with similar symptoms.

“Pelvic health is not a topic we may like to talk about, but it’s critical that we do,” she said. “Incontinence should not prevent us from leading active lives. Looking back, my only wish is that I had known Dr. Emerson ten years ago.”

In 2013, McLeod Women’s Services began an effort to raise awareness about women’s pelvic health issues. “Pelvic health” is a new phrase used among professionals in women’s health which refers to conditions such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis, and more.

Research indicates that nearly half of all women will experience symptoms related to pelvic health issues at some point in their lifetime, making pelvic health conditions more common than most women realize.

“A new report by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists shows that SUI affects nearly 16 percent of adult women. Among women with the condition, 77.5 percent report their symptoms to be bothersome, and of this group 28.8 percent report their symptoms to be moderately to extremely bothersome,” explained Dr. Emerson.

“The ultimate goal of McLeod Pelvic Health is to educate women on these conditions and help them see that they do not have to live with these symptoms forever,” added Dr. Emerson. “We want them to enjoy the quality of life they deserve.”

Marie Wolfe

By Jamie Vance Hayes

The day after Christmas in 2013, Marie Wolfe was not feeling like herself. As farfetched as it seemed to her, Marie purchased a home pregnancy test to satisfy her curiosity. The 43-year-old mother of two children, 14-year-old Jackson and 11-year-old Ruthie, was in shock as she held the positive test in her trembling hands.

Being pregnant seemed so unbelievable to me, especially since I had undergone fertility treatments with both of my other children,” she said.

Marie called her friend, Andi Atkins, a nurse practitioner with McLeod OB/GYN Dillon to relay the news. “I immediately burst into tears when she answered,” said Marie. “I was scared and nervous because of my age. Fortunately, Andi put my mind at ease and scheduled an appointment for me to come in the following Monday.”

This appointment was Marie’s first visit to McLeod OB/GYN Dillon. “I have friends who had positive experiences at McLeod OB/GYN Dillon and highly recommended the doctors there,” she said. “I really felt like I was in good hands as soon as I entered the offices.”

Throughout her pregnancy, Marie saw the four different providers within the practice. “It really did not matter which doctor I saw -- they all were great,” said Marie.

Several months into her pregnancy, Marie noticed a spot on her foot had started to change. She sought care from Katie Freel Smith, a physician assistant with Dillon Family Medicine.

“She immediately biopsied the spot, and when the results came back I learned it was melanoma, a type of skin cancer,” recalls Marie. The medical team explained to her that the hormones present due to her pregnancy caused the melanoma to grow rapidly. Surgery was required to remove the cancer, and Marie could not put weight on the affected foot during months six through eight of her pregnancy.

“It was a rough couple of months, but I lived through it with prayer and patience,” said Marie.

On August 6, 2014, Marie and her husband, Christian, welcomed their third child, Annabelle Rose Wolfe, to the family. Dr. Marla Hardenbergh delivered baby Annabelle at McLeod Dillon.

“Dr. Hardenbergh was great. Her compassionate bedside manner and confidence made us feel so at ease,” said Marie.

She added that her stay in the hospital was excellent. “All of the nurses were fantastic. They made an extra effort to make sure we were comfortable, offered assistance and always responded quickly when needed. It was also special to share our birth experience with nursing staff that we have known for years, like Tracey Campbell.”

The night before Marie was planning to take little Annabelle home, she developed a horrible headache. “After having an epidural or spinal injection, a patient has a small chance of developing a ‘post-dural puncture’ headache,” explained Dr. Hardenbergh.

Marie remained in the hospital for an additional day for monitoring. As with most post-dural puncture headaches, Marie’s pain subsided when she laid flat. For ten days after leaving the hospital, Marie was on bed rest to alleviate the pain.

“I was fortunate to have round the clock help from family and friends to help care for Annabelle,” she said.

Marie and her family also grew closer to Dr. Hardenbergh during her follow-up appointments. “We developed a friendship with her during this journey, and we are grateful to have found such a highly skilled physician right here in Dillon,” said Marie. “We had a memorable experience at McLeod Dillon and McLeod OB/GYN Dillon. The staff is very caring and took excellent care of Annabelle and me.”

Marie also relied on her strong Christian faith during her pregnancy -- from the shock of pregnancy at an advanced age to the discovery of the melanoma.

“This is a perfect example of how God has a plan for each of us. Annabelle has brought so much joy to our family, and we know He had a hand in this,” added Marie.

 

Eddie and Amy Powers

By Jessica Wall

Eddie and Amy Powers of Effingham, South Carolina, were ecstatic to learn that they were expecting their first child, a baby boy. Amy experienced a normal pregnancy until Saturday, June 13, 2015, eleven weeks before her due date, when she began having contractions. Amy was admitted to McLeod Regional Medical Center on June 15 and developed a fever the next day, indicating a possible infection in the baby, so her physicians induced labor.

On June 16, Amy gave birth to Jackson Alan Powers. Nearly three months premature, Jackson weighed three and a half pounds and measured approximately 15 inches long.

He was immediately transferred to the McLeod Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“Everything was so unexpected,” recalls Amy. “Jackson had so many difficulties from the very beginning. He suffered from seizures, anemia, and an infection, among other things.”

Doctors then discovered that Jackson had an underdeveloped brain and brain stem as well as severe gastrointestinal complications that interfered with his ability to swallow and digest milk.

On July 5, three weeks after Jackson’s birth, physicians briefly removed his breathing tube and gave him oxygen through nasal prongs.

“This was the first, and only, time we heard Jackson cry,” says Amy. “It was a beautiful sound.

Forty-five minutes later, physicians re-intubated Jackson.

During Jackson’s entire stay in the McLeod NICU, Amy supplied breast milk for his feedings.“I had not intended to breastfeed, but because of Jackson’s critical condition, I knew that my milk was the best medicine for him,” says Amy. “Although I was never able to breastfeed Jackson because of his feeding tube, I pumped as much as I could because I knew that was the best thing I could do for him.”

In a hospital, premature infants are vulnerable and exposed -- through their skin, lungs, and digestive system -- to a very unnatural environment where complications can occur. However, a mother’s milk is a vital component for increasing the infant’s immunity to those potential infections or diseases. For this reason, many neonatologists today treat human milk as a “medication” instead of a source of nutrition.

Five weeks into his stay in the McLeod NICU, Jackson continued to experience complications. On July 22, he was transferred to another hospital, where he stayed for another five weeks.August 25 is a day that Amy and Eddie will hold dear forever. It was the first time they saw Jackson open both his eyes.

“I cried as I watched him look up at me like that,” recalls Amy. “I had been waiting for this moment for more than two months.”

However, shortly after this happy moment, Jackson developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a serious infection that primarily affects premature babies and babies with very low birth weights, for the third time.

Jackson could fight the infection no longer.

“We lost Jackson on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 12:30 p.m.,” says Amy. “He was in my arms when he passed, and we have been heartbroken ever since.

“I wish my milk had worked the miracles I was counting on, but God had other plans,” she continues.

After Jackson’s passing, genetic tests revealed that he suffered from pontocerebellar hypoplasia, a rare genetic disorder which affects brain development and often leads to severe complications.

Because of Jackson’s gastrointestinal problems, he was unable to use much of the milk Amy pumped, so when she learned that McLeod Regional Medical Center was a depot site for the Mother’s Milk Bank of South Carolina, she decided to donate her extra milk.

“Eddie and I saw firsthand the importance of human milk, and we wanted to give other babies a fighting chance,” recalls Amy. “We hope that by donating this milk, Jackson’s milk, we can help other babies.”

On November 4, 2015, Amy became the first milk donor to the McLeod Regional Medical Center Depot Site. With Eddie by her side, Amy donated 322 ounces of human milk.

“This is a special moment for us,” says Eddie. “We do this in honor of Jackson.”

 

Bryana Hipkins

By Jessica Wall

The journey to parenthood stirs a myriad of emotions -- joy, anticipation, wonder, and excitement. However, one Myrtle Beach couple, Bryan Hipkins and Jessica Usher, learned firsthand how quickly happiness can give way to fear and worry.

On December 2, 2015, at approximately 25 weeks into her pregnancy, Jessica arrived at a local hospital after her water broke. The examination indicated that Jessica suffered from Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM), or a rupture of fetal membranes prior to 37 weeks.

Because PPROM can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby, including an increased risk of intrauterine infection and preterm delivery, Jessica’s physician ordered her transfer to McLeod Regional Medical Center.

McLeod Regional Medical Center offers specialized women’s and newborn care, including the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the only NICU in this region.

PPROM occurs in three to 19 percent of pregnancies and accounts for nearly 30 percent of preterm deliveries, according to Dr. John Chapman of McLeod OB/GYN Associates. Risk factors of the condition include: history of preterm births, amniotic fluid infection, multiple fetuses and prior history of PPROM.

On December 7, at 26 weeks and four days, Jessica underwent a C-section, performed by Dr. Chapman, and gave birth to Bryana Renee, who weighed just two pounds and seven ounces.

McLeod Neonatologist Dr. Tommy Cox, along with several members of the NICU team, accompanied the labor and delivery team to prepare for Bryana’s immediate transition to the unit after birth.

Bryana required a ventilator for breathing support and then quickly progressed to needing oxygen only through nasal prongs.

“Seeing our daughter lying in an incubator brought us to tears,” recalled Bryan. “My 11-month tour in Afghanistan as a member of the Army did not even compare to our NICU journey.”

Shortly after Bryana’s birth, Bryan and Jessica held her for the first time.

“Bryan and I felt overwhelmed, and a bit nervous, holding this tiny baby in our arms,” said Jessica. “We will treasure that moment forever.”

They also experienced Kangaroo Care, or skin-to-skin contact, with their daughter. Kangaroo Care involves the nurses putting Bryana directly on her mother’s and father’s chests.

Kangaroo Care not only promotes bonding between the parents and their baby, but also regulates the baby’s body temperature and encourages a smoother transition to breastfeeding.

On December 21, at two weeks old, Bryana received her first echocardio gram. The exam revealed Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart defect common in premature infants where the blood vessel connecting the heart’s two major arteries does not close after birth, allowing blood to flow into the lungs. This adds stress to the heart and if left untreated, can lead to congestive heart failure.

Dr. Cox consulted with McLeod Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Charles Trant , and the two physicians initiated multiple trials of medication to close the PDA, but Bryana continued to struggle.

Consequently, she underwent a PDA ligation, a surgical procedure which involves closing the open PDA with stitches or clips, at a facility where these types of specialized surgeries are performed.

“Besides the PDA, Bryana fared well compared to most babies born at 26 weeks,” explains Dr. Cox. “Fortunately, Bryana developed none of the other major complications associated with prematurity such as retinopathy of prematurity (visual disturbance), necrotizing enterocolitis (GI problems), or -- the most feared -- Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH), also known as a brain bleed.

“We avoided these complications, in part, due to the infection control initiative undertaken by McLeod approximately ten years ago,” continues Dr. Cox. “Anyone who comes into contact with an infant in the NICU -- staff, parents, family -- must wash their hands for three minutes. Other measures include using sterile alcohol before touching an infant, cleaning the infant’s space every day, and removing intravenous (IV) lines as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of a bloodstream infection.

“The combination of these efforts allows our infants a greater chance to thrive.”

On March 25, 2016, after 109 days in the hospital, Bryana went home.

“As first-time parents, we expected to take our baby home with us right after her birth,” said Bryan. “We did not expect her to remain in the hospital. However, the NICU staff treated us -- including Bryana -- as part of their family. We appreciate their care and support, and we feel incredibly blessed to have a happy, healthy daughter.”

Today, Bryana continues to thrive. Now attempting to sit up, she weighs 13 pounds and brings joy to everyone around her

For 12 years, Jessica has raised funds for McLeod Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) as an Associate at Walmart Supercenter in Surfside (Store #574). Only now does she fully realize the impact of these funds in providing compassionate care to children

“In all the years of fundraising for McLeod Children’s Hospital and CMNH, I never understood how the money directly supported pediatric patients,” says Jessica. “However, after the birth of my daughter, I not only learned firsthand how our efforts impact the children treated at McLeod, but also gained a deeper appreciation for having a Children’s Hospital so close to home.”