Archive for Jessica Cerretani
Navigating school with a neuroimmune condition
Fifteen-year-old Sarah had been challenging her dad to card games all week — and on Saturday, she finally beat him. It might seem like just good-natured competition to most people. But for Sarah, it was a much greater accomplishment: The teenager was coping with the lasting cognitive effects of autoimmune encephalitis and had struggled with ... Read More about Navigating school with a neuroimmune condition
Five things to know before getting an online second opinion for your child
Whether you want to confirm your child’s diagnosis or treatment plan, another set of expert eyes can give you confidence that they’re receiving the best care. At Boston Children’s Hospital, the process is simple: Although in-person second opinions are also an option, you can request an online second opinion from the comfort of your home ... Read More about Five things to know before getting an online second opinion for your child
No limitations: How Flora found answers for MOG antibody disease
Flora Ringler’s fifth birthday didn’t turn out as she had hoped. She and her family were vacationing in New Hampshire last year when she started feeling tired. But she wasn’t just worn out from celebrating: She also developed a bad headache and started throwing up. Concerned, her mom, Maureen, contacted a pediatrician, who thought she ... Read More about No limitations: How Flora found answers for MOG antibody disease
Using her voice: After tracheomalacia treatment, Claire keeps her eye on the ball
Claire Kantany is only 10, but she knows what she wants to do when she grows up — in fact, she’s already doing it. Combining an interest in acting with her family’s love of football, she has her mind set on a career in sportscasting. Not only is she reporting on local games from the sidelines, ... Read More about Using her voice: After tracheomalacia treatment, Claire keeps her eye on the ball
Pediatric high-grade gliomas: Research reveals effective targeting with avapritinib
Pediatric high-grade gliomas, particularly H3K27M diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), are aggressive malignant brain tumors with a poor prognosis. Previous research suggests that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) appears to play a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of both adult and pediatric high-grade gliomas. Not only are genetic alterations of PDGFRA common in patients with ... Read More about Pediatric high-grade gliomas: Research reveals effective targeting with avapritinib
‘They never stopped trying to figure out what was happening’: RyennAnne’s encephalitis journey
When 5-year-old RyennAnne Hurst developed a bad sore throat last summer, her doctor thought she might have strep and prescribed her antibiotics. But two weeks later, she wasn’t feeling any better. In fact, she was lethargic and her head hurt. “She told us it felt like something was smashing into the right side of her ... Read More about ‘They never stopped trying to figure out what was happening’: RyennAnne’s encephalitis journey
Crossing the ocean: Kathryn learns how to manage chronic pain
When Kathryn Chechile, 11, “graduated” from Boston Children’s Pediatric Pain and Rehabilitation Center (PPRC) last year, she painted a tile to hang on the wall of the Center’s space. It’s a fun ritual for patients who complete the intensive day program aimed at helping kids manage chronic pain. Kathryn’s design features a girl looking out ... Read More about Crossing the ocean: Kathryn learns how to manage chronic pain
Faced with a rare type of liver cancer, Ramie focuses on the positive
When Ramie Darling learned that his liver cancer had recurred, he thought for a while and then simply said, “OK.” Asked by his parents if he understood the situation, he replied, “I know I need more treatment. But whenever there’s a ‘down’ in life, I just think of the ‘ups.’” It’s an attitude that has ... Read More about Faced with a rare type of liver cancer, Ramie focuses on the positive
Years of experience support the safe use of fine-needle aspiration for pediatric thyroid nodules
Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has long been used as a safe and effective way to evaluate thyroid nodules in adults, usually without sedation. Less is known about the safety and tolerability of FNA in children, although small studies suggest that the approach can be performed without sedation and with minimal complications. Now, a report by ... Read More about Years of experience support the safe use of fine-needle aspiration for pediatric thyroid nodules
Then and now: Catching up with some of our short bowel syndrome kids
Also known as “short gut,” short bowel syndrome is a life-threatening condition in which a lack of functioning intestine can make it difficult to absorb the nutrients needed to survive and thrive. Thanks to advances in medical and surgical treatments — many of which have been made by the team in Boston Children’s Center for Advanced ... Read More about Then and now: Catching up with some of our short bowel syndrome kids