On March 21, 2008, our little princess Emily was born , making us a family of 5. Joining her older brothers who love her so much and would protect her forever. Emily is such a smart , beautiful and compassionate human being! Through the years has always been known as the girl that always helped someone or any animal in need. Her love for animals is her utmost special trait, Emily always had a special bond with the animals that she meets, kind of like Dr.Dolittle.
Emily’s medical journey started at the age of 14, just starting high school, experiencing making new friends and learning about how high school operates. During Emily’s Freshman year she was in and out of the hospital with stomach issues, swelling of her legs and very fatigued. Multiple doctors could not understand why her body was in so much turmoil daily. Emily, towards the end of school had to be homeschooled as symptoms worsened.
Of course, rumors started surfacing from people that Emily had an eating disorder and was causing the stomach issues as she was very thin and not able to keep food down. This of course was due to lack of understanding what Emily was really going through. Well, that year was the worst year ever, not knowing what was happening to her body. Anxiety started kicking in about all the rumors, the uneasy feeling everyday not knowing when or where her symptoms would appear. Emily started to shut down emotionally, didn’t want to go anywhere, play any sports, hang out with friends etc.
Then one day during Emily’s sophomore year she was in class not feeling well and stood up from her desk and passed out. The nurse came rushing in to assist, when Emily became conscious, she was assisted back to the nurse’s office. After this experience Emily had a lot of other symptoms produced, blurred vision, migraines and dizziness. Back to the hospital she went, as she arrived her heart was beating well over 130 beats resting, Drs were concerned she was having a cardiac episode.
After all testing was done a pediatric cardiologist was called in to evaluate. After the evaluation the Dr needed to do some research and speak to other colleges. The end diagnosis was POTS syndrome, we never heard of this before. But this syndrome has been around for a long time and can be easily misdiagnosed as anxiety. POTS is a systemic disorder with only control of symptoms and no cure. POTS affects everyone differently , Emilys is gastro, cardiac and neurological having headaches and dizziness daily.
So, on our way to multiple specialists between Morristown Pediatric to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For the whole rest of Sophomore year Emily was in and out of school to be seen by multiple Drs and then accepted to CHOPS Aqua Nautic Clinic that specializes in POTS. Long days, long travels which Emily finally received the answer to her medical condition and was finalized as having POTS.
Through guidance of multiple Drs and some trials of holistic medicine, Emily was put on a sodium and iron rich diet and 60 oz of water daily. Sodium helps keep the blood pumping smoother to the heart. One of Emily’s favorite go to foods is McDonalds fries and a frozen coke. Who can resist McDonalds fries!
Emily is still finding her ways to control her symptoms and make it through the days with a beautiful smile. Being strong and pushing herself to get back to her old self, which might or might not happen but being positive.
Every day is a new challenge and Emily takes each day slowly as the mornings are the worst dealing with symptoms. As a parent seeing your child struggling is heartbreaking that we cannot make all challenges go away. We have a strong family and will keep pushing through the everyday challenges.
We are genuinely honored to have been selected by The Shannon Daley Memorial Fund and thank you to all those supporters of this wonderful organization. So excited to be part of the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund family.