Meet Our Patients
LEXI:
Off Kidney Dialysis | On with Childhood
Frightened baby to willing patient
Lexi received a kidney from her mother, Maria, after a condition known as Wilms' tumor caused her to lose both of her kidneys at just 17 months old.
The PHS solution
After surgery to remove her kidneys but before her transplant, Lexi completed chemotherapy and required daily peritoneal dialysis. She also needed vigilant monitoring to prepare for her transplant. PHS worked with the family, completing lab draws and providing IV therapy and enteral feedings.
"The PHS nurses worked with us to set up a time to do Lexi's lab work. Both my husband and I have to work so Karletta (PHS Infusion Nurse) came out early in the morning and we could live as normally as possible," says Lexi's mom, Maria. "Working with PHS helped us feel like we were more in control of managing all aspects of Lexi's care."
"It has been such a pleasure to watch this family adapt to a life-changing diagnosis of cancer," says Jean Stumpf, PHS Nursing Supervisor and former case manager for Lexi. "Lexi has gone from a frightened baby who cries 'all done, all done!' the moment a nurse entered the home to an interested and willing participant in her care. She even 'draws blood' on her nurse with pretend needles now."
Born:
2005
Diagnosis:
Wilms' tumor (kidney cancer) required removal of both kidneys
Challenge:
After Lexi completed chemotherapy and continued kidney dialysis, she needed care to prepare for her kidney transplant
Solution:
PHS provided IV therapy, enteral feedings, and all supplies to keep Lexi at home before her transplant
Result:
At-home medical attention helped Lexi and her family maintain a "normal" lifestyle in between two major surgeries
"Working with PHS helped us feel like were were more in control of managing all aspects of Lexi's care and allowed us to stay at home."
-Maria, Lexi's mom (and her kidney donor)
