Epilepsy, Neurosciences, Patient Stories

Sisters’ bond helps family manage epilepsy

Seven years ago, my younger sister, Samantha, was diagnosed with epilepsy. Who would have thought that fluttering her eyes was actually a seizure? Sam didn’t seem herself, and so our pediatrician ordered a sleep-deprived electroencephalogram (EEG). This is a test that looks at how the brain works when it’s tired. At first, Sam thought it…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Fetal Care, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, NICU

Using music to help preemies ease into a world they weren’t ready for

How babies develop, before and after birth, is nothing short of a miracle. But what happens when they are born prematurely, before they are ready for the sights, sounds and touches of the outside world? The answer may be in music. Music therapists specially trained to work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are stepping…

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Employee stories - Norton Healthcare, Festival of Trees and Lights, Foundation

Employee volunteers make annual Festival of Trees & Lights tree a show-stopping fundraiser

For 13 consecutive years, David Miller, Norton Healthcare’s director of creative services has served as “chief elf” of the marketing and communications department’s Festival of Trees & Lights tree decorating committee. He oversees choosing a theme for the tree, purchasing and creating ornaments, arranging for the accompanying gift package and decorating the tree on-site. For…

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Patient Stories

Halloween fun at Norton Children’s

Follow Norton Children’s on social media Facebook Twitter Instagram Halloween is a fun time at Norton Children’s locations throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana. Patients and staff at Norton Children’s facilities dressed up, trick-or-treated and celebrated the fun fall holiday together. Check out all of our Halloween fun below! NCH staff costume FB album: NWCH staff…

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Endocrinology, Health & Wellness

Halloween tips to help kids with diabetes enjoy the holiday

For many kids, Halloween is a big sugar rush. But for children with diabetes, the holiday can be very challenging for the entire family. Fortunately, kids with diabetes still can enjoy the holiday. It just requires a different approach. Parents should plan ahead to work candy into their child’s diabetes meal plan or ensure they…

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Heart, Heart Transplant, Patient Stories, PICU

Baby elephant’s name to be unveiled by toddler with a new heart

In Eli Alexander’s 23 months of life, he has overcome a congenital heart defect with the help of a heart transplant. His family has taken to comparing his strength and bravery to an elephant’s. It only made sense that he should help unveil the name of the Louisville Zoo’s baby elephant. In a naming contest…

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Heart, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Patient Stories

Courageous Clay gets his heart transplant follow-up visits closer to home in Bowling Green

Nicole Pendino has a courageous son. In fact, his nickname is “Courageous Clay.” Many members of his hometown community in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have rallied around him over the past 12 years. In 2017 when Clay’s heart condition worsened and he was added to the heart transplant list, he was literally fighting for his life…

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Health & Wellness

How to prevent bullying

About 20% of students ages 12 to 18 experience some kind of bullying, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics. The highest numbers of students who are bullied are made fun of, called names or insulted, or are made the subject of rumors. Cyberbullying is just as serious as conventional…

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Heart, Heart Transplant, Patient Stories

Family follows journey their son’s heart took to transplant in 8-year-old

A day of tragedy in Charles City, Iowa, has led to lasting friendship and love for two families connected through one heartbeat. After Lenny and Wendy Luft’s 15-year-old son was injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident, his condition worsened. As it became clear he wouldn’t survive, they decided to donate his organs. “It was a…

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Brain Tumor, Cancer, Neuroblastoma, Patient Stories, Radiology, Solid Tumor

Family’s journey with child’s neuroblastoma goes from shock to hope

Andrea and Barry Smith will never forget April 25, 2018. That’s the day their 18-month-old daughter, Emaleigh, had a computed tomography (CT) scan that threw the family into a tailspin. The Smiths had barely gotten home from the test when the doctor called. Emaleigh had a solid tumor in her chest, near vertebrae — hugging…

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Infectious Disease, Newsjacking, Norton Childrens Medical Center, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Norton Community Medical Associates, Prevention & Wellness

Bad Australian flu season could spell trouble in U.S.

Australia just experienced one of its worst flu seasons on record, and experts are warning this could mean an early and rough flu season for the United States. Flu season in Australia usually spans from June to September and peaks in August. Officials say it started early this year, however, and the number of confirmed…

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Cancer, Patient Stories, Sarcoma

Woman’s own cancer journey reassures grandson with osteosarcoma

Symptoms of osteosarcoma in kids Pain and swelling are common signs of osteosarcoma. It is not unusual for active children and teenagers to experience limb pain as they grow, but any pain that lingers beyond two weeks should be checked by a medical provider, especially if it involves swelling. According to the American Cancer Society,…

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