Perspective is something people talk about when they are able to see their circumstances through a different lens. We were given that gift when our son became very sick in the Fall of 2013. Garrett was an otherwise healthy, growing, video-game-addicted teenage boy. He got really sick, lost 20 pounds and had fever for over a month. The Gastroenterologist at Nemours Children’s Clinic ordered both a lower and upper endoscopy to verify his diagnosis: Crohns disease (click here for full story). We received this gift of perspective through a fellow friend and peer of Garrett’s named Hunter Crain.
Hunter was born with a congenital heart defect and has been undergoing surgeries, medications and procedures his entire life. Garrett and Hunter have been friends for most of their childhood having met in Kindergarten. Ironically, the day of Garrett’s procedures, Hunter was also scheduled at Wolfson Children’s Hospital POPS (Pediatric Out Patient Surgery) for a Cardiac Catheterization. The doctors needed to get a picture of Hunters heart, in particular the Atrium, which had started swelling like a water balloon due to weak squeezing of his heart muscle.
Garrett and I entered the waiting area of the POPS Center and saw Nancy, Hunter’s Mom. Nancy was anxiously awaiting news that the catheterization was successful but there were some complications. We soon said our goodbyes and headed back to the pre-op area. As we were led there we were alone in the hallway when the elevator doors opened. There was a team of medical personnel and a gurney they were pushing with a teenage boy who was asleep. It was Hunter!
Garrett and I stopped as they rolled by and I touched the top of the stretcher and said “We’re praying for you, Hunter.” The medical team stopped and asked if we were family. I said “No, but he is a special friend of ours.” Garrett and I stood there and watched as they rolled Hunter down the hall to recovery. We proceeded to our pre-op room with steely resolve and unwavering confidence that all would be well.
The renewed perspective Garrett had enabled him to gratefully and bravely endure the needle pricks to find a vein in his emaciated arm for the IV. He told the nurse “I’m just here to get my butt scoped. My friend needs a new heart.”
Garrett’s procedures took less than an hour and before we knew it he was in recovery right across the hall from Hunter! Once Garrett’s IV was removed we walked across the hall for a visit with our funny, affable and courageous young friend. Garrett continued to make jokes about getting his butt scoped and Hunter and Nancy told us more details of the catheterization. Apparently one more picture was needed (another catheterization) but that likely Hunter would have to go on the transplant list.
We both realized in that moment how lucky we were that Garrett’s auto-immune disease, while chronic and potentially debilitating, was manageable and completely treatable. The strength, courage and humor that Nancy and Hunter showed us really made the whole diagnosis and treatment plan do-able. We could DO THIS!
The following weeks were very trying as Garrett continued to lose weight and ultimately had to be hospitalized. On the morning of October 15th, we visited the Cardiac Cath Lab to have Garrett’s PICC line implanted. While we were in the room, glancing around at all of the expensive machines we realized that this was the very place Hunter had had his procedure that day we saw him on the gurney in the hallway!
Again, it fed us and gave us strength and perspective. Garrett had the nurses laughing as he scrolled through his music on his iphone with his nose. (Both arms were unavailable as he had an IV in one and was getting the PICC in another.) An otherwise pretty scary and not fun, but serious procedure was completely lightened by the perspective Garrett had when envisioning his dear friend Hunter, on that same table.
We are so grateful for the drugs that treat Garrett’s symptoms and for the science of heart transplants. While Garrett is well now and has gained weight, he still has flare ups and doesn’t feel well all of the time. Then we remember Hunter, give him a call and see how he’s doing. Hunter is undergoing a series of tests and medications to ready his body for the new heart. We are not sure when the surgery will happen but we will be praying for him and his mom, Nancy and their entire family. We are so grateful to them for their courage, optimism and strength. It’s really made our road a walk in the park.
To help support Hunter in his recovery from the heart transplant, once he receives a new heart, please visit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association’s (COTA) web site. Here’s Hunter’s Page:
http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforHunterC/
Jeanie Leapley
Ponte Vedra Beach resident, Jeanie Leapley, is a Mom, Realtor, volunteer and advocate for breast cancer. Jeanie’s husband, Robert, is a local attorney. They‘ve lived in Ponte Vedra Beach for the past 20 years where they spend their time “raising men” – Garrett 16, Carson 13 and Sean 11. Between volunteering and running the boys around, Jeanie works for Watson Realty. She loves to run and while she’s at it, raises money for the 26.2 with Donna, the National Marathon to FINISH Breast Cancer. Being a wife and a mother are the most important roles that Jeanie plays and having a chance to make a difference for women with breast cancer at the same time is privilege.
Beautiful story Jeanie! Thank you for sharing. Leapley’s and Crain’s in our prayers!