My first foray into MPH posting...Many of you know that our long-awaited baby was born in early July. Bridgette spent the first two weeks of her life in the NICU at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo and at Primary Children's Medical Center in SLC because she couldn't eat or stool, both of which are obviously critical to survival. She was eventually diagnosed with Total Colonic Hirschsprung's Disease, meaning, her large intestine doesn't function. It will be removed when she is big enough, at approximately 20-25 lbs. Until then, she has an ileostomy and requires some special care. We are hopeful that her ileum will adapt over time and play the part of both small and large intestine, although her digestion will never quite be the same as someone with a working colon.
I have had ample opportunity over the last month and a half to consider the excellent medical care that was at her immediate disposal and without which she would not have survived. Nothing to highlight the many discussions we share in classes about global health care like watching your own daughter struggle to live. I kept thinking, "What if she had been born in ____________?" or, "What if Dr. __________ hadn't been so close?" and, when that first bill for $30,000.00 came along, "What if we didn't have health insurance?"
"Failure to thrive" has a whole new meaning to me now. Bridgette has an uncompromised drive to thrive, but until she received the correct treatment, her illness made her appear despondent and uninterested in life. That same assistance is not available to so many babies. How many infants die and are simply diagnosed with "failure to thrive" when they could and would have turned into proper spitfires given adequate health care?
Kelly, Jeff & Bridgette Johnson with Chewy & Piper the Pups
Just wanted to share my new found emotions about the topic. Hopefully they will kindle a little fire under the aspirations of anyone interested in maternal/child health. We all have personal stories that have led us to the MPH program, and now I feel more strongly about our position and responsibilities than ever.
