Local children’s hospitals are on the frontlines when protecting the health of future generations. But they can’t do it alone. Each dollar that Costco and its members raise through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) improves the health of kids allowing them the opportunity to grow to their full potential. During the month of May,… Continue Reading →
Marceline and Phoebe were born at 23-weeks-gestation at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. The twins both weighed just a little over one pound each and were extremely frail. Marceline and Phoebe were immediately airlifted to CHRISTUS Children’s for further treatment and were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Upon arrival, doctors quickly got to work to care for these tiny girls. Phoebe underwent surgery right away to repair a small bowel perforation and continued to have surgeries on her GI tract. Marceline had extra blood flowing to her lungs and received surgery to close the artery as well as surgeries to correct cranial abnormalities. Today, Marceline and Phoebe are two fiery five-year-olds.
Destany, a varisty cheerleader at 16 years old, was at the top of a pyramid when it unexpectedly collapsed. She endured a severe concussion, spinal shock, and was unable to walk on her own. She had major loss of motor strength on the right side of her body. She could not walk, write, or feel with her right hand. She had trouble reading and suffered from severe headaches.
Destany underwent six months of extensive occupational and physical therapy and made a dramatic recovery.
Zoe and her younger sister, Jada, were born eight years apart, both perfectly healthy and happy baby girls. Over time, both girls suffered hearing loss before reaching their second birthdays. Zoe’s mother, Lisa, first noticed a change in Zoe’s behavior after her 18-month check-up.
In November 2016, Drew was a happy, healthy two-year-old who had never been ill. “He had never even had an earache,” said Marissa, Drew’s mother. “Then one day, he had a very high fever. We took him to his pediatrician, who diagnosed him with allergies.” Marissa and her husband, Ricky, returned home with Drew, but soon noticed his breathing had changed.
Over the years, Destany participated on various competitive cheer teams. While she has been successful throughout her 11-year cheerleading career, her hard work has not come without a few set-backs.
Destany endured a stress fracture in her back at age 12…
When doctors discovered a tumor growing from Zack’s right kidney up through his heart, they knew he faced the fight of his young life . . .
When Allison had her second child, she was expecting a normal, healthy baby. What she got was a miracle. The big day had come and Allison and her husband, Matt, traveled to a local hospital for her planned C-Section, eager to meet their new child. “We were so excited because we had planned everything ahead of time, and the only surprise we were expecting was the gender,” Allison says. “That’s when God stepped in and said, “You can’t plan everything.” “I Knew Something Was Really Wrong” Evan arrived a seemingly healthy baby boy — but within a few hours, Allison and Matt realized something wasn’t right. “Matt went to watch the nurses give Evan a bath, and he came back and said, “I don’t want to worry you, but his oxygen levels aren’t great,” Allison recalls. “He came back a second time and said a cardiologist was looking at Evan. The third time he came back, two doctors were with him. That’s when I knew something was really wrong.” Evan was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries. The hospital they had chosen for his birth wasn’t equipped to treat the defect, so Evan was transferred to CHRISTUS Children’s. “They actually came and transported Evan themselves, which I thought was incredible,” Allison says. “The transporters came into the room, and I immediately felt a sense of safety. They knew what they were doing and that everything was under control.” Coming to CHRISTUS Children’s When Allison and Matt arrived at CHRISTUS Children’s, they immediately noticed a difference. “I walked in the door, and they said, “You must be Evan’s mom. Let’s get you a wheelchair,” Allison says. They anticipated our every need. They even let us sleep in the intensive care unit where Evan was. They got us shampoo, towels, pillows, and blankets. The entire staff treated us like we were family.” Two days after Evan was born, Allison and Matt met with the surgeons who would be operating on Evan the following morning. They explained everything and answered all the questions. Allison and Matt also met with child life specialists at the Hospital, who shared information about developmental expectations and what life after surgery would be like. The next day, Allison watched in tears as her three-day-old boy entered the operating room. Then she waited. “I felt confident because I had seen specifically what would happen during the surgery,” Allison says. As a mother, that makes you feel good knowing – if your child is going to have surgery – you are getting the best doctors and the best care possible.” Four hours later, Evan’s heart was fixed. Today, Evan is a healthy, happy four-year-old. He has nothing to show for his dramatic first week of life, except a “cool” scar on his chest. Last spring, Evan’s cardiologist cleared him for all activities, and by the fall, Evan was running in San Antonio’s annual ING Kids Rock one-mile marathon.
“It’s a miracle Josh is even alive today,” said Stefanie, Josh’s mother. “When we adopted him at four months old, he had never had any medical care and was facing several health issues. I still believe the way he came into our lives was divine intervention.” In May 2000, Stefanie sat in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital emergency department waiting room, unaware that her life would change when a young mother entered with a small baby in a stroller. Josh was only four months old the first time he entered CHRISTUS Children’s, formerly CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. “Instant Connection” Stefanie and her husband, James, had just recently adopted their first child, one-year-old Olivia and were fostering another, four-month-old Chance. While in the waiting room, the young mother sat with Stefanie and shared her story. Without hesitation, Stefanie befriended the girl and helped her find a shelter. Several weeks after learning of the young mother’s inability to care for her child, Stefanie became aware of the opportunity to adopt Josh and they welcomed him into their home with open arms. “When I first saw him that day in the emergency room, I could tell he had some underlying issues, but then he looked up at me and smiled,” said Stefanie. “We had an instant connection and I didn’t know it at the moment, but my life was changed forever.” Severe Medical Challenges The day after his placement, Stefanie made arrangements at CHRISTUS Children’s to have Josh undergo a health assessment and started treatment right away. He was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, clubbed feet, caudal regression syndrome, sacral agenesis, neurogenic bladder and failure to thrive. With faith in their hearts, Stefanie took Josh to CHRISTUS Children’s once a week for two months to have his tiny casts removed, feet stretched and then recast to prepare him for a surgery that would be the most monumental in his life. In August 2000, Joshua endured an orthopedic surgery that would give him the possibility of walking someday. Josh is the “superstar” 7th grader that everyone knows and loves at La Vernia Junior High School. He played Little League baseball for many years and, not seeing his disability as a hindrance, joined the 7th grade football team. He runs, plays, and argues with his siblings. Josh has a love for the outdoors and is particularly interested in animals, bugs and other creatures. “Josh will have lifelong issues that he will have to manage on a daily basis. There are more surgeries in his future, but we have peace in knowing that our CHRISTUS Children’s family will be there to support and encourage us every step of the way,” Stefanie added. “The hospital’s Spina Bifida clinic has been a vital part of Josh overcoming and exceeding so many obstacles. They have been like a family to us, giving us hope, prayers, advice and guidance, and we are forever grateful.” “The Greatest Gift” Today, Josh is a happy and thriving 13 year old who has overcome and exceeded expectations physically, cognitively and emotionally. He is mobile in a wheelchair or on crutches and often crawls and climbs to play and interact with his peers. “God had truly given us the greatest gift,” said Stefanie. “Josh inspires so many because of the incredible humility, wit and humor he was able to carry on through this adversity.”
CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation exists to fund the health care, research and wellness programs that serve children and families in South Central Texas. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. ©2023 CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation
