Winter 2008-2009 - Mayo Clinic

Sean Trewin (left) with his family, including
sister Abby and parents Patrick and Karen,
and (above) when he was treated for Burkitt’s
lymphoma at Mayo Clinic.
“Several studies have shown that therapeutic play is
effective in decreasing anxiety and fears for children,” says
McKeeman. “Children not only showed greater cooperation
during stressful procedures, but they also were more willing
to return to the hospital for further treatment. Other studies
show physiological benefits from therapeutic play, including
lower blood pressure and pulse rate, less palm sweating,
and a shorter time between surgery and first voiding.
Mayo Clinic’s primary value is that the needs of the
patient come first, and Child Life services support that.”
Patients’ perspective
Sean’s story
Four-year-old Sean Trewin described the effect of anesthesia
administered prior to his bone marrow biopsies as “hard
snow that makes my head feel funny before I go to sleep.”
His mother, Karen, relayed that information to a Child Life
specialist at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children’s Hospital, who
speculated that the anesthesia might be acting too quickly.
The Child Life specialist talked to Sean’s anesthesiologist
about slowing down the rate at which the medication was
administered. Sean noticed the difference and told his
mother he felt better.
“The Child Life specialist advocated for us and made
Sean’s treatment easier,” says Karen Trewin, who lives in
Decorah, Iowa. “They were a great resource for us at a very
trying time in our life. Child Life services showed us that
Mayo was there for us in all aspects of the patient experience,
in all facets of our care.”
Sean, now 13, had Burkitt’s lymphoma. When his
parents received his diagnosis, his mother was so upset that
she fled the room. Jane Heser, a certified child life specialist,
comforted her in the hallway.
“I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, and it
was all so overwhelming,” says Karen Trewin. “Sean’s first
hospitalization was eight weeks long. I alternated between
being frantic and hopeful. Jane and her colleagues were as
much a comfort and help to my husband, Patrick, and me as
they were to Sean.
“They told me it was important for Sean to be around
other people and have stimulating activities, and also
important for us to take a break. The staff did activities with
Sean on Easter so we could go out to dinner with my parents,
who were visiting.”
4 | Mayo Alumni Winter 2009