Well - Summer 2011 - (Page 11)

1 UNC Pediatric Surgery Facts UNC Health Care has the state’s first and only pediatric pain management team 6 5,000 Number of newly rededicated operating rooms Approximate children’s surgeries performed each year by physicians at UNC Hospitals 5 Number of general pediatric surgeons Dr. Adamson. Each time Oxlee arrives for surgery, the staff presents him with his signatures as a reminder of just how far he has come. One of the most familiar faces to Oxlee is his nurse. Christie Grafford, CN III, charge nurse in the pre-care area, has been Oxlee’s nurse since he became a UNC Health Care patient. The two have become so intertwined in one another’s lives that he recently appeared in full tuxedo as the ring bearer in her wedding. Because Oxlee’s condition makes him so sensitive to touch and the inevitable poking and prodding that often accompany a hospital visit, Christie takes extra care to make sure Oxlee does not have any unnecessary contact during routine exams and interactions. “Forming that relationship has been monumental because he trusts her,” says Oxlee’s mom. “They talk to him as a kid, not a patient, and he picks up on it. He’s getting older, and now he asks to go to UNC. It’s not a struggle or a fight, and we feel comfortable handing him over. That’s huge because for the rest of his life he’s going to have this. For him to feel at peace is good for me.” Oxlee Rodriguez rides to the operating room in a red wagon, not in a gurney. Personalized touches like this help reduce anxieties associated with surgery for young patients. Peace of Mind The Rodriguez family has seen a lot of medical providers over the course of Oxlee’s treatment, and frequently they find themselves tired from educating and explaining about the extra care Oxlee requires to avoid unnecessary blistering. At UNC Health Care, they have been fortunate to find comfort and peace of mind. For two weeks after each surgery, Oxlee eats a lot of oatmeal, mashed potatoes and milkshakes, soft foods that are easy on his healing esophagus. The cheese pizza is a reward, and from the look on his face when he dives into a slice, the twoweek wait is well worth it. Although his situation is not ideal, the comfort and care he receives at UNC Health Care makes this all something he can live with. www.unchealthcare.org 11 http://www.unchealthcare.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Well - Summer 2011

Well - Summer 2011
Contents
UNC Health Care News
Community
Radio City Rockettes Visit Children’s Hospital
Prostate Protection
Surgery Through Oxlee’s Eyes
Nutrition
Calendar

Well - Summer 2011