21 Jan 2013 Even in loss, family appreciative of Children's Hospital
by Amanda Mulhearn
Explaining the loss of your child or children never gets easier.
Five years ago, my husband, Travis, and I lost our infant Charlotte Diane to a very rare viral infection of the heart. Last year we also lost our 2-year-old, Stella Rose, to another rare disease, brain cancer. Tragic as these losses are, this story is not about our losses, but what we gained by being at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
When Stella was diagnosed, I quickly contacted as many people as possible to research where she should be for the best care and the best chance for her survival. I spoke to doctors, family and other hospitals only to discover she was in one of only eight places in this country capable of treating her illness.
I was prepared to travel to the farthest point of the world if it meant giving her a better chance to live, but having her so close to our family, friends and most importantly, our son, changed our path for the better.
Travis and I were able to work two-day shifts, trading time at home and the hospital for six months. This allowed us to keep things as normal as we could for our 7-year-old, Davis. Family and friends were able to visit us and fill in gaps for the times we both had to be at the hospital.
The care received at ACH for us as parents cannot be matched. These were the hardest and most desperate months of my life. ACH made them easier with a child-care therapist, Amanda, and our own therapist, Carrie. While we did not spend time sitting in a chair talking about our feelings, we were visited often by them. My son told me, “Mom, if I need to talk about things, I can come to the hospital to talk to Amanda.”
Additionally, the nurses and staff were the most caring and loving group of people I have encountered to date. I remember Stella telling our nurse, Theresa, “I love you.” She then reached for her to plant a kiss on her face. Theresa attempted to give a germ-free cheek, but Stella would have none of that and turned her face and smacked her right on the lips.
This is just one of so many moments that I will never forget. They were not all good moments, but they were moments I would not have had without our surgeons, oncologists, nurses, staff and others making sure we gave her the best possible chance. ACH did their best to ensure Stella’s health was priority and her parents’ health was next in line.
Our stays at ACH do not have happy endings, but provided us with some happy memories and hope. I share this side of our story for a reason. I want Arkansas Children’s Hospital to continue to thrive and advance so children can continue to be treated with such a high quality of care close to their homes and communities.
Our family will continue to put ACH at the top of our priority list just as they did our daughters, and we ask that you do the same.
Freezin’ for a Reason
The Faulkner County Circle of Friends will host the inaugural Freezin for A Reason 5K/10K and family fun 2K on Saturday, Feb. 2.
The event is being held in memory of Stella and Charlotte Mulhearn.
The 5K/10K races will start at 9 a.m. The 2K will begin at 10:45. All events will begin at the Conway High School Fieldhouse, 2300 Prince Street. Festivities will include bounce houses for the kids, games and hot chocolate.
Registration for the 2K and 5K is $25 and the 10K is $30. Registration on the day of event will be $35 for all races. Kids 13 and under are free but fundraising is encouraged. All participants 13 and older will receive a T-shirt but registration must be made by Wednesday, Jan. 16, to be guaranteed a shirt.
All proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Packet pickup will be noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince Street, and 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the fieldhouse.
There will be a pasta party 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at First United Methodist. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 13 and younger. Tickets for the event may be purchased at the online registration site, via the paper registration form or at the church.
The pasta party is organized and serviced by the Youth Ministries at Conway First United Methodist Church.
For more information or to register, visit giving.archildrens.org/freezin. Information is also available at [email protected] or 501.450.0512.
