Pediatric Care Close to Home Comforts Mom of Toddler

When Chelsea Troyer became a mom almost 2 years ago, she had many of the same questions and doubts that nearly all parents have: Am I a good enough mom? What if I’m not doing something important? How do I know I’m doing the right things for my baby?

 

Then, when Chelsea’s daughter, Heidi, now 21 months old, caught her first cold at 3 months of age after starting daycare, Chelsea’s doubts flooded in. She knew she needed pediatric care for Heidi that she could trust. That’s when she chose to take Heidi to Great Bend Children’s Clinic at The University of Kansas Health System.

 

Chelsea knew Marta Edmonds, MD, because she had been Chelsea’s doctor from the time Chelsea was small until she was about 15.

 

“One of my great joys is to care for the children of former patients,” Dr. Edmonds says. “The continuing relationship is priceless.”

 

This continuing relationship was a source of comfort to Chelsea. Chelsea and Heidi also regularly see Ryan Williams, MD, at Great Bend Children’s Clinic.

 

“I knew kind of what to expect, because Dr. Edmonds was the one who cared for me,” Chelsea says. “Heidi has also seen Dr. Williams and she feels really comfortable with him.”

 

A cycle of illness

When Heidi got that first cold, it was the beginning of a long series of illnesses for her. Chelsea says Heidi was getting sick every couple of weeks and she couldn’t figure out why Heidi got sick so easily. She’d had colds, ear infections, bronchitis or sometimes simply a runny nose and cough that wouldn’t go away.

 

“For instance, one day at the end of this summer, Heidi was happy in the morning, laughing and playing,” Chelsea says. “Then, randomly, by the afternoon after her nap, she couldn’t stay awake. She was running a high fever and coughing, so I took her to the clinic.”

 

There, Heidi was treated and sent for lab work. For Chelsea, this had become a familiar pattern.

 

“There would be numerous times after an appointment that I would leave crying,” Chelsea says. “I’d be asking myself, ‘Why is she always sick? Am I doing something wrong?’”

 

But, she says, whether she and Heidi saw Dr. Williams or Dr. Edmonds, they would always reassure her that kids get sick. She wasn’t doing anything wrong.

 

“Chelsea is a great mom, and it is a pleasure to take care of Heidi,” Dr. Williams says.

 

Support for parents, too

“I’m so grateful for the doctors, who always make Heidi and I feel comfortable,” Chelsea says. “They don’t care only about treating the children, but also care about you as a parent and how you’re doing, how you’re feeling.”

 

Even more than that, Chelsea feels that the doctors always include her when making decisions for treatment, based on what she felt was best for Heidi at the time. She says they never made her feel pressured or uncomfortable about sharing her opinions on care.

 

The last time Chelsea had Heidi in to see Dr. Williams, he had a new thought on treatment.

 

“He said he thought we should have Heidi see an immunologist at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City because of her recurring infections and need for antibiotics,” says Chelsea. “He didn’t make it sound like we had to do that but asked if we’d be comfortable with it. I asked him what he’d do if it were his kid, and he said he’d absolutely take them.”

 

Finding answers

So Chelsea and Heidi made the trip to Kansas City and met with an immunologist at Children’s Mercy. And they finally got an answer about Heidi’s frequent illnesses. The immunologist diagnosed Heidi with asthma and prescribed an inhaler for her. They’ll have follow-up appointments in Kansas City and by telehealth, but in the meantime, Heidi’s getting the care she needs, close to home.

 

“Care at the Children’s Clinic does not disappoint,” Chelsea says. “They will always do whatever it takes to find out what’s going on with your child and they truly care. They want to make sure you as a parent are in a good state of mind too. It’s nice feeling like you’re being seen as the parent.

 

“I fully trust Dr. Edmonds and Dr. Williams with Heidi’s care. They’ve told me several times that if my mother’s intuition is going off to come in and get Heidi checked, even if it’s something small.”

 

To schedule an appointment with the health system’s pediatric care team, call 620-792-5437.