Steve and Laura Crowell of Magnolia have years of experience with Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock — all of their four children have been treated there over the years. But the youngest, 26-month-old Scarlett, has spent the most time there. Scarlett’s conditions — which include gastroparesis, severe silent reflux, dysphagia with silent aspiration, and a laryngeal cleft — are so unusual that doctors at ACH have told her parents that Scarlett’s has been one of their most difficult cases.
Some of Scarlett’s symptoms were apparent within hours after she was born, but the underlying causes took multiple tests to determine. Laura said, “I know without ACH and the interventions they provided Scarlett in the first months after her birth, we would not be in the place we are today. Scarlett would not be as healthy as she is even with her continuing issues.”
Just with Scarlett, Steve said, “We’ve been in there a lot, 59 days total. It is one of those places that’s so good to have. Granted, it’s two and a half hours away, but it’s not 14. We’ve been to the emergency room there six times. I can’t say anything but positive things. Every time we’ve been up there, it has just been amazing. They’re efficient. They get everything done.”
Laura and Steve also credited APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) Jo Ann Clark at UAMS Family Medical Center in Magnolia. “Another thing [about ACH] is how well they work with the local doctors,” Steve said. “When we came home from UAMS after Scarlett was born, we couldn’t lay her down to change her diaper. We went to Jo Ann Clark, and Jo Ann called Children’s. She’s absolutely amazing.”
Steve said that sometimes ACH employees — whose jobs were to give medications, baths, or to change bed sheets — went above and beyond. “One said, ‘You guys look tired.’ He’d give us a break. He’d literally sit there with her for a half hour.”
“I can’t say enough positive about the staff and the level of care that they provide. We had nurses that would come in after we had been inpatient for weeks and give us breaks to take showers or get a bite of food. They love their patients and families,” Laura said in agreement.
Through ACH and Facebook, Steve said, “We’ve been able to be advocates. We’ve literally had people contact us on Facebook. Somebody from Minnesota ended up contacting us. We’ve had three or four we’ve been able to tell, ‘You need to get to Arkansas Children’s.’ We’ve had some come in from Oklahoma. That’s been an interesting twist.”
Steve pointed out that ACH employees often deal with heartbreaking situations. “One of the most humbling things was seeing these five or six kids in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) who were there without their parents because mom and dad have to work. One had been there for 14 months. Mom and dad come on the weekends. These [ACH] doctors and nurses do everything they can — there’s no judgement. They understand. When you’ve got somebody who’s going to be there for months, somebody’s got to pay bills.”
Developmentally, the Crowells said that Scarlett is on schedule, “smart as a whip,” and knows her colors and shapes. While she has a healthy appetite, swallowing anything liquid continues to be a problem.
Circle of Friends - Magnolia Chapter is one of 13 groups in the state that raises money to help support the work of Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Their next fundraiser is coming up on April 29.
According to State Board Representative & Publicity Chair Crystal Sharp, “The Crowell family will be the patient family for Circle of Friends - Magnolia Chapter’s 4th Annual Taste of Magnolia Event that is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 6-8:30 p.m. at the White Myrtle Event Center. They will be sharing their story of their experience at Arkansas Children’s Hospital during Scarlett’s treatment. Taste of Magnolia will include delectable foods and beverages from our area’s best restaurants and catering vendors, live music by Mo’Betta Band, as well as a silent auction and live auction of a piece of art created by Scarlett Crowell.”
Tickets for Taste of Magnolia are $35, which includes beverages and food from all vendors. Tickets are available from Circle of Friends members or at the door on April 29. Sponsored and host tables will have celebrity waiters for the event. The White Myrtle Event Center is located at 124 S. Jackson in Magnolia.