All Search Results
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Living through the uncertainties of Spina Bifida
Written by Amanda Kern.
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Inspired to give back after becoming a childhood cancer survivor: Whitney’s story
After meeting Whitney, you would never realize the hardships she endured by spending most of her childhood in the hospital, battling several childhood illnesses. Instead, you would see a sweet, quietly confident 16-year-old girl who is passionate about art and medicine, as well as fundraising, pursuing excellence in everything that she does. While most girls her age are interested in the latest fashion trends, boys, and the usual high school drama, Whitney is different. Although she thinks about these things, she is on a greater mission. A mission to educate people on childhood cancer and to one day, find a cure for this ugly disease.
The diagnosis that changed everything
At eight years old, Whitney was diagnosed with a T-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), or a T-cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. In fact, it is so rare, that only one to two percent of the population in the United States is affected by this type of cancer today. Having been previously treated at a local hospital in Gainesville for a liver transplant that she underwent at the age of three, she began treatment for cancer there, so that her previous team of physicians could care her for. However, after three months of treatment, Whitney was not responding well, and her parents asked if she could be transferred to Arnold Palmer Hospital for treatment so that she could be closer to home. Once Whitney transferred, they started to see significant signs of improvement and she was finally responding to treatment. Over the course of her treatment, Whitney was a trooper and did extremely well. However, with the intensity of treatment that childhood cancer requires, there are good days and bad days. And some days, they feel so dark you wonder if there is a light at the end of the tunnel, according to her mom. Despite all of the trials and hardships that came her way, Whitney persevered through it all, and in April 2006 she was told she was “cancer-free!” -
Kearstin Russell, APRN, FNP-BC
Kearstin Russell is a board-certified family nurse practitioner (FNP-BC) with the Orlando Health Children's Neuroscience Institute Behavioral Health and Development Center. She is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and as a registered nurse. Kearstin has experience in:
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Kia Small, MSN, CPNP-AC
Kia Small is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner in acute care (CPNP-AC) with The Haley Center for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. She focuses primarily on providing care for patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease who require chronic transfusions. She is able to perform a variety of procedures, including:
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Pediatric Outpatient Services
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children offers a number of outpatient services conveniently located to meet your family's needs.
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Pediatric Otolaryngology
Audiology provides evaluation and treatment of children with hearing impairment or loss.
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Four things to know about concussions in kids
Concussions happen all the time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an estimated 3.8 million recreation and sports-related concussions occur in the US each year! And as brain injuries, every concussion needs to be taken seriously. Research is ongoing into the long-term effects of traumatic brain damage in both youth and adults, but in the meantime, here are some things you should you know about the injury and its implications for your child returning to school and play.
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Orlando Health ER and Medical Pavilion - Osceola
The Orlando Health emergency room and medical pavilion will be designed to meet both current and future needs of this growing community.
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High blood pressure occurs in 20 percent of pregnancies
Written by Dr. Torre Halscott, Senior Resident, OB/GYN
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Most teens want to build muscle, even if it means going to great (and unhealthy) lengths
Gym rats, pro athletes, and teens- what do these three groups of people have in common? They all want to build muscle, and may even go to great lengths to do so. It is common to hear of gym rats, and even some pro athletes (even if it’s against regulations), who use steroids, or other muscle-enhancing supplements to help gain muscle mass, but now teens are mirroring these risky behaviors, too. While it’s great that teens have an increased interest in exercising, the desire for a certain body type can lead teens down a slippery slope of dangerous behaviors.
The Study
With the perception of popular body images in the media shifting from those who are just thin, to those who are muscular and lean, teens are becoming more dissatisfied with their outward appearance, causing them to be easily influenced by the market of muscle-enhancers and body-building lifestyles.
