Childrens Hospital Foundation, Health & Wellness, Orthopedics, Splash N Dash

Starting a running program with your kids

Our kids argue about everything we ask them to do. But earlier this month, when my wife and I asked if they wanted to go to the local high school track, they were in the car before we had even changed clothes. We went with a plan to run and they went to have fun,…

Read Full Story
Recipes

Pancake-coated apple rings recipe

Whip this breakfast favorite up and add a fruity twist to the pancake batter. It’s a family favorite. Pancake-coated apple rings Makes 6 servings (about 18 rings) 3 large apples, cored and sliced into about 6 rings 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour 1/4 cup quick oats 2 tablespoons milled flaxseed 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 teaspoons…

Read Full Story
Heart, Heart Transplant, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Patient Stories

Remembering Baby Calvin

In 1986, Robbie Cardin became Norton Children’s and Kentucky’s first pediatric heart transplant patient. As you can imagine, his plight was covered by the media. Robbie was referred to as “Baby Calvin” to protect his family’s privacy. Robbie was born by cesarean section at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Doctors knew right away something…

Read Full Story
Health & Wellness, Norton Childrens Medical Group

How to handle a child’s vomiting

January and February are typically times when pediatrician offices are swamped with calls: Children have caught some kind of bug or the flu that is causing vomiting. As a parent, what do you do? Most of the time, vomiting just needs to run its course. During that time, you can help your child stay hydrated…

Read Full Story
Health & Wellness

Chubby cheeks: Healthy or overweight?

As a mother of two girls who have very different body sizes, I noticed friends and family, even strangers, admiring my younger girl’s chubby cheeks and thick legs, while my first-born was often the subject of worrisome comments like, “Oh my, she’s so tiny.” Aside from the comedic effect of “little” sis seeming bigger in…

Read Full Story
Heart, Patient Stories

Heart surgery gives a boy his bounce back

Vibrant and bouncing, Wells Whitaker is a ball of energy. The 2-year-old bundle of long golden curls and bright laughter seems to have an endless supply of energy. His parents, Leslee and Matt, remember just months before, Wells was a very different toddler. “He has two older siblings,” Matt said. “He would try to keep…

Read Full Story
Health & Wellness

Sinus infection symptoms and antibiotics

While a runny nose is a common sinus infection symptom, the color of the mucus shouldn’t be used as a guide for when an antibiotic is called for. A runny nose is the body’s way of clearing the germs out of the nose and sinuses. Even once the mucus turns yellowish after a couple of…

Read Full Story
Heart, Patient Stories

Fighting for a brave heart

Dynamic and vivacious, 11-year-old twin sisters Lauren and Madison are every bit as charming as they are spirited. However, while the girls are matched in character, they differ in physical development. Older by 30 minutes, Lauren is noticeably taller than Madison, who was born with a congenital heart defect. Halfway through her pregnancy, their mother,…

Read Full Story
Cancer, Heart, Newsjacking

Addie’s Journey: Fighting cancer with a smile

This story was originally published on April 2, 2015 and has been updated. It had been in high school, over 10 years ago, when I had last seen Angela Roberts. It wasn’t under the greatest circumstances that we reconnected, but she was still the same as I had remembered — a smile from ear to…

Read Full Story
Recipes, Urology

Power Foods – Frozen Yogurt Pops

Eating yogurt and other cultured dairy products (fermented with “good” bacteria) regularly may decrease the risk for urinary tract infections by up to 80 percent. When selecting yogurt for your child, it is important to look for a statement on the packaging that says “contains live and active cultures.” Yogurt contains good bacteria, active cultures…

Read Full Story
Norton Childrens Hospital, Recipes, Urology

Power Foods – Berry Smoothie

Cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, oh my! Berries promote urinary tract health and provide protection against infection with an important compound that helps fight bacteria and keeps it from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. Recipe:• 1 Cup low-fat vanilla yogurt• 1/2 cup strawberries• 1/2 cup raspberries• 1/3 cup skim milk• 1 cup ice (if…

Read Full Story
Recipes

Power Foods – Bran Muffin Bites

Lack of regular bowel movements can cause pressure in the urinary tract and block urine flow, allowing bacteria to grow. A diet high in fiber paired with drinking enough water promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Fiber won’t work without enough water in the diet. Some of the best sources of fiber for children…

Read Full Story