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rian and Amy Nicholson , of Hewitt , Texas , thought their little girl , Reese , had a urinary tract infection or some type of virus because she had a low-grade fever and an aching side . The Urgent Care Clinic suspected appendicitis , and referred Reese to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center . A computerized tomography ( CT ) scan indicated that Reese had something far more serious . “ The doctor said , ‘ You need to go to Scott & White tonight ,’” says Mr . Nicholson .

Hours later , the pediatric team at Scott & White diagnosed the affectionate little girl with Wilms ’ tumor , a rare form of pediatric kidney cancer . Wilms ’ tumor , also called nephroblastoma , accounts for only 6 percent of childhood cancers , according to the American Cancer Society . It is

very treatable and the survival rate is high , especially when diagnosed in its earliest stages . Reese ’ s lab tests indicated she had stage 2 cancer .

Scott & White ’ s pediatric expertise soon gave the Nicholsons peace of mind to navigate this disease for their daughter . Pediatric surgeon Danny Little , MD , performed an eight-hour surgery to remove the tumor and the right kidney , and insert a chemotherapy port . Pediatric oncologists Arlynn Mulne , MD , and Guy Grayson , MD , submitted Reese ’ s histology report to the Children ' s Oncology Group ( COG ), an international consortium of more than 500 institutions , including Scott & White . COG is dedicated to advancing pediatric cancer care through advanced treatment protocols linked to groundbreaking

research efforts . The organization ensured that Reese ’ s treatment plan was the most innovative available , which included 18 weeks of chemotherapy and medications .

“ We had a thousand questions , but Scott & White gave us a road map to help us plan our lives the best we could ,” says Mr . Nicholson , an associate vice president of facilities , planning , and construction at Baylor University .

Like her parents , Reese and her older sister , Brooke , were inquisitive . Child life specialist Jenny Damron used play therapy and age-appropriate materials to help the girls understand cancer and prepare for the surgery . She also gave a special talk to Reese ’ s threeyear-old preschool class .

The results of every blood test , scan , and chemotherapy treatment were maintained

in Scott & White ’ s electronic medical records system so that all of the specialists involved could easily and confidentially access updates on her progress . “ It was very important to us that all of Reese ’ s doctors were talking to one another to coordinate her care . If more hospitals adopted the Scott & White model , we ’ d all be better off ,” says Mrs . Nicholson .

This past spring , Reese completed chemotherapy and received a positive prognosis . The Nicholsons are grateful for the care their daughter received , and often return to Scott & White so Reese ’ s doctors can keep a close watch on the little girl . “ The pediatric team at Scott & White gave us hope . The medical process has a whole new meaning , and we don ’ t take it for granted ,” says Mr . Nicholson . ★

sw . org | Fall 10 THE CATALYST 31