Rebekah Hudson age 14
Stars in Our Eyes continued
PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY
Scott & White board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists treat diseases of the digestive system , including the stomach , liver , and bowel . They also treat feeding and eating issues , such as acid reflux . The experts at the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center treat patients with episodic and chronic illnesses , such as Chron ’ s disease and colitis . Nurses , surgeons , nutritionists , social workers , and psychologists help children manage pain and other symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disease .
Rebekah Hudson age 14
The Hudson family knows how to throw a party , even in unconventional circumstances . When Temple High School freshman Rebekah Hudson was in the hospital just days before Thanksgiving , her parents brought the holiday to her , including Dad ’ s famous stuffing .
“ They threw a surprise feast for me . The nurses walked me down the hallway and told me to turn into the room . Everyone was there ,” Rebekah says . The celebration was early so she could enjoy her favorites ahead of a surgery to give her digestive tract a much-needed rest . For most of her life , Rebekah has struggled with Crohn ’ s disease , a painful condition that causes severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal system and often requires surgery .
Rebekah has been treated at Scott & White ever since she was four and a half years old , adding a couple of birthdays and at least one Fourth of July to the list of holidays celebrated there . “ They treat you like you ’ re their own kid . All the nurses are always happy to see me . But they ’ re not happy to see me back in the hospital ,” says Rebekah .
Pediatric surgeon Monford Custer , MD , performed her first surgery 11 years ago , and has done every one since . “ I don ’ t think Rebekah would let anyone else do it ,” says her mother , Malie Hudson , a supervisor at Children ’ s Hospital Scott & White .
Rebekah will spend the next year with a colostomy , to divert her digestive tract around the areas damaged by Crohn ’ s disease . Her treatment plan is complicated by a second condition , chronic granulomatous disease , or CGD . Patients with CGD make white blood cells that don ’ t have the same germ-fighting power of normal cells , leaving them with a weakened immune system . CGD is a very rare disease . Rebekah was diagnosed 10 years ago by a specialist in Salt Lake City , Utah . “ Nobody in the state of Texas could have diagnosed her at that time , so we got a referral from a physician in Austin ,” says Mrs . Hudson . “ It is great to now have a children ’ s hospital right here at Scott & White that can hopefully diagnose complicated cases like Rebekah ’ s , with the added expertise and research ability to help kids who need it .”
For Rebekah and her caregivers at Scott & White , treating both conditions is a balancing act . While steroid medications heal her digestive tract , the same medications make her CGD worse . Living close to state-of-the-art medical treatment at Scott & White is vital for Rebekah , who doesn ’ t have to worry when she is in too much pain or notices something is wrong and a visit to the doctor is needed .
No cure for Crohn ’ s disease or CGD exists , but Rebekah perseveres . Despite frequent inpatient stays at the hospital , she continues to keep her grades in the top 5 percent of her class and plans to become a pediatric gastrointestinal physician . “ She is determined ,” says her mother . ■
“ It is great to now have a Children ’ s Hospital right here at Scott & White that can hopefully diagnose complicated cases like Rebekah ’ s , with the added expertise and research ability to help kids who need it .”
— Malie Hudson
24 THE CATALYST Fall 11 | sw . org