Backstory time:

Emma came into this world at 39 weeks gestation, the picture of health, or so we thought. However, by the end of her first week of life, signs of distress began to emerge. She became increasingly colicky and jaundiced, setting off alarm bells in my mind.

I diligently reached out to the pediatrician’s office, attending appointments and even consulting their after-hours nurse multiple times a week. Yet, my concerns were met with dismissal, with reassurances that Emma’s symptoms were within the realm of normalcy.

As her condition worsened, with frequent vomiting and pale stools after switching to a special formula due to suspected milk allergy, my anxiety heightened. Despite expressing my worries, they were continually brushed aside.

The turning point came when, after a long battle to get blood work done, we were informed that the results were lost. Frustration consumed me, but determination fueled my actions as we persisted in seeking answers.

Finally, after Emma’s labs were redrawn at the local hospital, the truth emerged. While the nurse from the pediatrician’s office assured me that the results were normal, MyChart, the hospital’s system, painted a different picture. Emma’s results were anything but normal; they were alarmingly abnormal, nearly three times the normal limit.

Anger surged within me as I called back the pediatrician’s office, ready to unleash my fury. Despite attempts to divert the conversation to irrelevant tests, I stood my ground, advocating fiercely for Emma’s well-being.

In that moment, I became “that Karen,” the parent unwilling to accept complacency when it came to her child’s health. And I make no apologies for it. Emma deserved better, and I was determined to ensure she received it.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in Emma’s journey as we navigate the path towards diagnosis and treatment for her condition.