Story Project
Shannon's Story
Tell us your story.
Twenty seven years ago I was born with a double ureter,
running from one of my kidneys to my bladder. I had to take
two different medications a day in order to not get a kidney
or bladder infection. At first, I was treated by doctors at
an area hospital and the procedural experiences were
terrifying. I came to Children's in the early
80's to get specialized treatment for the condition
by Dr. Mark Burns.
In 1988 when I was eight, Dr. Burns operated on the double
ureter to disable it from functioning. In my child's mind I
was cured and I thought my visits to Children's were
over with. I was wrong.
In February of 1991 I was diagnosed with type I diabetes
and rushed to Children's Hospital ER late at night.
I felt, as silly as it sounds, I was home again, but I was
scared. My experience with my doctor, Dr. Patrick Mahoney,
the nurses, and the excellent care I received during my week
long stay for my diabetes has stayed with me for the past 16
years. Not only is my diabetes in excellent control, but my
favorite nurse Barbara, who also had diabetes, has inspired
me to want to become a nurse to this day. I also received a
visit from Dr. Burns during my hospitalization as well! He
had remembered me from 3 years earlier.
I continued my care in Endocrinology for my diabetes until
I was too old to be seen at Children's. It was hard
to leave!
What does Children's mean to you, your child and your family?
Children's Hospital will always hold a special
place in my heart. I have a lot of good memories from
Children's, from walking in and seeing the friendly
giraffe, to my caring doctors, getting a stuffed animal from
the gift shop when I had a procedure done, feeling grown up
while staying alone overnight with my nurses, to getting over
my fear of riding elevators, visiting the babies in the
nursery, and swimming in the therapy pool with my sister. I
will never forget my experiences at Children's.
I believe if my care had not been excellent, my experience
not warm and memorable, I would not have had the base, the
starting point for the outlook on life I have now concerning
my health. I owe so much to Dr. Mark Burns and Dr. Patrick
Mahoney and the nurses who have cared for me and inspired me
the several years I was treated at Children's.