For four years Abbie battled skin infections. At times, her skin would crack, bleed and become infected. Abbie’s parents, Jimmy and Shelly, took her to numerous specialists who could not identify the root of the problem.
Abbie’s skin became so infected that eventually her pediatrician took a blood sample, which tested positive for staph infection. The doctor advised Jimmy and Shelly to get Abbie to Arkansas Children's Hospital immediately. Once she arrived at the ACH emergency department, her condition was so serious she was admitted.
Abbie was diagnosed with severe atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, as well as many food and environmental allergies. Because of these conditions, Abbie’s skin would get infected frequently and painfully.
“It was when we first came to ACH that we met the angel who has been Abbie’s allergy doctor,” says Shelly. “There are no words sufficient to express what Abbie’s doctor has meant to our family over the last seven years.”
Over the next five years, Abbie had nearly a dozen hospitalizations at ACH. Her treatment included “mummy wraps,” consisting of bandages and medication wrapped around her body from head-to-toe, occasionally for 12 hours a day. During one of her stays at the hospital, doctors found abnormal blood work, indicating her immune system was affected. To treat the condition, she underwent blood infusions one day a month for two years.
Severe allergies cause Abbie to give up outdoor sports and instead focus her energy on a fun indoor activity: playing the electric guitar. She has become a talented player, and she now plays the guitar at her church.
Abbie is now healthy, although because of her allergies, she must avoid certain foods entirely. She visits the ACH allergy and immunology clinic twice a year for check-ups.
“Our experiences at ACH have all been incredible,” says Shelly. “We have met so many people through the hospital who have made such a positive impression on our daughter.
Because of the atmosphere at ACH, we have fond memories of everyone loving and caring for our daughter.”
Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, (501) 364-1100 or TDD (501) 364-1184