One Mom’s Journey

A message from Kelley, CJ’s mom

If Kelley’s story sparks your interest, you can visit with her by clicking here.

Who wouldn't want to help in anyway possible the organization that saved your child's life?  I think maybe early on I even tried to make a deal with God and told him I would do anything and everything for the MCG Children’s Medical Center if CJ was OK.  Maybe this is my calling now.  All I think about is how can I reach people in the community and tell them about the children’s hospital.  I, as a lay person and even a health care professional, used to think this hospital was so huge and overwhelming.  I always chose to go elsewhere - where I believed I would receive more personal care...boy was I wrong.  I want people to know about the people who make the Children’s Medical Center what it is.  It is more than just a place and name.  It's a family, an extended one even.  You can never imagine how many employees I see on the outside that treats me just like they did on the inside (of the hospital).  Sometimes, they are even coming to me for advice or to have their medications filled.  And as a pharmacist, I try my best to remember the concepts of patient- and family-centered care and instill it in my practice.  I want each and every person/customer that I come in contact with to leave my pharmacy knowing that I truly cared about them for that short time we interacted. 

So, four years ago we began this journey.  Our son, CJ was sent to MCG Children’s Medical Center to see a Pediatric Surgeon who was to tell us what was wrong with him.  This surgeon - Dr. Charles Howell, was the first person who took the time to really listen to what was happening with CJ.  He introduced us to the concept of patient- and family-centered care and set the standard high.  He told us CJ had cancer. CJ's oncologist, Dr. Roger Vega, followed in suit.  He taught us what to expect in the hospital and in his clinic.  He is a teacher of medical students, but was also a teacher to us. He was patient and kind and really took the time to listen to us.  These two MDs, along with many, many others who I could list by name, made us comfortable, gave us hope and took us along for the ride in treating and ultimately saving our son.  We believe that because of this safe and inviting environment, our son CJ has done so well.  He saw the comfort we had with his MD's and he allowed treatment.  He has no fear of them and of what they tell him they are going to do.  This is a unique environment that makes the children’s hospital so special. 

Now, almost four years later, CJ has remained in remission and finished up his chemotherapy this past summer.  He enjoys coming to the Children’s Medical Center and seeing the same MD's and staff who treated him early on.  The continuity of care by the same employees is such a rare concept to find.  What a relief it is for a parent to see the same person performing the same tests time after time. Just imagine how comforting that is for a child.  The children’s hospital will always be a part of our lives; now that CJ is done with active treatment doesn't mean we are closing that door. He will continue to be followed here for the rest of his life.  He is a cancer survivor and wishes to be a friend to those going through the same thing.  Even now at the young age of seven years old, he told us a friend from school was in the hospital last week.  We said how awful.  He said, don't worry mom, I told her to go to the MCG Children’s Medical Center, because it's the best place on Earth. 

Priceless, absolutely priceless.

~ Kelley

If Kelley’s story sparks your interest, you can visit with her by clicking here.

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