Three Sisters Rushed To ER
by KFYR TV Juli McDonald
Posted on 8/16/2010
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Caralie Letteer had such bad stomach pains in May that she told her mother she wanted to die.
Carol Letteer rushed her seven-year-old to the emergency room, where she was treated with IV antibiotics.
Caralie perked up, but just weeks later, her little sister Ivy became very sick. But doctors ruled out the flu, and weren’t sure what was wrong.
“When I asked Dr. Kane how sick she was, he told me well I didn’t sleep for 4 nights,” said Carol, “so it was pretty scary.”
Dr. Kane did exploratory surgery and found an ulcer in Ivy’s stomach which had caused a hole. The condition is rare for such a young girl, and the Letteer’s were so scared when told the pediatric mortality rate is high.
“She is very loved,” said Carol. “She gets passed around from person to person and she shares her love with a lot of people and she’s kind of known for liking to put her head down on your shoulder and just snuggle in. I always say she brings us peace.”
Ivy’s surgery went smoothly, and after seven days in the pediatric ICU, she was able to go home.
“The challenges of medicine are you hope that everyday will be a reward,” said Dr. Derek Kane, Saint Alexius. “Obviously some days it’s not. When you have a case as Ivy’s, and she does so exceptionally well, it just really brings everything together and it’s very special.”
Carol says prayers and support from friends and family got her through that scary time.
“I really didn’t even have time to worry,” said Carol. “I just concentrated on the getting better. And they all did.”
Carol says she was comfortable with Dr. Kane because of his humble attitude and his graciousness. Dr. Kane called treating such a special girl is something he won’t forget.