Savannah

Age: 22

Diagnosis: 

Savannah was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth. She was a patient of Phoenix Children's for 21 years, until last year. She still wishes she was a patient here, because everyone knows you and makes you feel comfortable.

Savannah was hospitalized for her first 3 months of life, and after that at Phoenix Children's about every 2 weeks. As she got older, would come for treatment every couple of years. She has to take antibiotics and breathing treatments every four hours each day.

Savannah was helped a great deal by child life, they're there for the kids whenever they need something or are just bored. They'd come to her room and play games with her.

It is time consuming and affects Savannah's life on a day to day basis. She has missed a lot of school. She now works but is hard to keep up with the breathing treatments with a full time job.

Savannah doesn't like to tell people she has cystic fibrosis (she's always coughing) and tells them she has asthma or allergies when she meets new people. She is also sick much of the time.

Briefly describe the diagnosis in layman's terms if necessary:

Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that affects the Lungs.

Names of doctors who have treated the patient:

Dr. Stillwell, Dr. O'Hagen, Dr. Gong, Dr. RadFord.

Favorite hobbies and/or activities:

Going to church every Wednesday and Sunday. And I love the place that I work. I work at the Holiday Inn as a Guest Service Representative.

Favorite things…:

I love all kinds of movies, I love to Text, and I am currently reading the Stephanie Meyers book series called Twilight.

How has your condition affected your life:

It makes it hard for me to work sometimes and I'm constantly in and out of the hospital.

What was your longest hospitalization?

My longest hospital stay that I can remember was 6 weeks. But when I was a baby I was in and out every 2 weeks.

What is your favorite thing about or service offered at Phoenix Children's?

I love the nurses and all the Child life staff. They make the place feel more comfortable even though you don't feel well.

What is the most difficult aspect of being hospitalized or your treatment?

Having to be in there for 2 weeks at a time for my treatment.

Has it affected your day-to-day life?

Yes always. I missed tons of school when I was younger. I missed out on birthday parties for friends and I didn't really have normal childhood. I spent most of it in the hospital or just at home sick.

Is there someone, or an aspect of your hospitalization that really stands out in your mind?

The nurses are the most important part of Phoenix Children's Hospital I think. Because they are the ones that are there everyday taking care of you and talking to you and helping you get through all the hard times. I know that without most of the nurses that I have meet there I would not of been able to go through all the hospital stays by myself.

But also the child life staff is a great part of it to. They are there for you when you have procedures and try and calm you down when you are scared. But they also help in the aspect of giving kids stuff to do so that they have something to distract them from there illness.

Is there something that your condition that has changed your philosophy of life or how you look at things?

Oh, Definitely. It makes you look at life totally different. You realize life is to short to worry about all the bad. You have to enjoy life because tomorrow could be your last day on earth. And never go to bed without telling the people you love I love you.

Do you listen to KMLE Country 108? If so, is there a favorite country artist?

Yes all the time. My favorite country singer is Carrie Underwood.