Mary McCurdy - PinnacleHealth

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from NICU to ninth grade… triumph+ ATale OF gratitude For many of us, turning 16 is about learning to drive a car, passing tests in school and all the other interests of being a teenager. For Mary McCurdy, the view is a little bit different. For Mary, life is about appreciation, survival and miracles. Born in 1996 at 24 weeks’ gestation, Mary McCurdy was the smallest newborn her doctors had ever seen. In the PinnacleHealth community, Mary McCurdy, age 16, is known as the “soda can” baby. Weighing a little over 14 ounces at birth, she compared in size to a can of soda. Her astonishingly small weight underscores just what a miracle her survival has signified. Born in 1996 at 24 weeks’ gestation, she was the smallest newborn her doctors had ever seen. Her size along with other complications kept her in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the first seven months of her life. Had her birth occurred over a century ago, she would not have survived. Dr. Domingo Alvear, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at PinnacleHealth remembers Mary very well. Dr. Alvear performed several difficult, yet critical surgeries on her during the first few months of Mary’s life. “She is a survivor. Mary was one of the tiniest babies who survived such major surgical procedures at that time,” explains Dr. Alvear. “We can no longer give up in caring for tiny babies because of our experience with Mary. The care given by the PinnacleHealth NICU doctors and nurses is the best, bar none,” Dr. Alvear states. The connection between Mary and Dr. Alvear still stands today. The McCurdy family visits the NICU every year and keeps in touch with Dr. Alvear. “I had three children in the PinnacleHealth NICU. We have been very involved with the nurses and doctors and it’s important to us to comfort families with the comfort we received,” says Beverly McCurdy, Mary’s Mother. Thanks to modern day technology and the services of PinnacleHealth, Mary has not only survived the battle for her life, but she is a vibrant and healthy ninth-grader with a keen interest in writing and has been recognized for her talent. “I want to be a fiction writer when I grow up,” explains Mary. 4 (717) 231-8900
Encouraged through a chance encounter with her favorite author, she has been submitting her writing for professional critique. Being a young-woman with an inspirational story of life and her experiences, Mary certainly has a story to be told. She recently began a writing project inspired by her experiences at PinnacleHealth. Mary’s story tells a fascinating tale of triumph in the form of an allegory set in the imaginary world of “Pinnacle: The Realm of Rescue.” Traveling to a place called “Ribth” (an intentional misspelling of the word birth) she arrives too early and falls victim to the evil “Necrotizer”; a representation of the Necrotizing Enterocolitis from which she suffered during her first days. Battling strong in the fight for her life, Mary’s parents; the Duke and Dutchess of Constant Faith as well as her knights in shining armor (her doctors) are able to rescue her. Mary got her inspiration for the story from what she’s heard her parents tell her as well as the doctors and nurses. “My mom and dad help me remember what I went through while I was here,” says Mary. “I think of different things in my head, and I created my own fairytale. Oddly enough, the hardest part right now is thinking of a beginning to the story. I still want to meet everyone who helped me.” Mary’s real life journey is transformed into an uplifting tale of hope and gratitude; testimony to the invaluable work of the PinnacleHealth children’s comprehensive services. Every mother wants a smooth delivery and a healthy baby, but sometimes life has other plans. If a baby, like Mary, requires specialized care, the NICU at PinnacleHealth is equipped with the technology and experienced staff to provide the best care possible. Level III NICUs offer the highest level of care for premature newborns. The 32-bed NICU at PinnacleHealth is comprised of seven board-certified neonatologists, three neonatal nurse practitioners and registered nurses with years of NICU experience. “It’s imperative to consider the level of care available when choosing where to give birth because there’s always a change the baby may need specialized care,” says Cheryl Key, MS, RN, Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Services at PinnacleHealth. “Parents find it comforting to know that if their baby needs specialty services, they can receive care close to home instead of being transported elsewhere.” Most parents who have a baby that required care in the NICU feel nervous about bringing him or her home. At PinnacleHealth, parents can “room-in” with their baby prior to being discharged. A nurse is available to answer questions or concerns. Free infant CPR classes are also offered to all parents and relatives who have a baby in the NICU. Now turning 16, Mary McCurdy has come a long way from her first months in the NICU. “She’s excited to start driving soon,” Beverly McCurdy points out. Thanks to Dr. Alvear and Dr. Margaret Donahue of the NICU, along with all the PinnacleHealth staff that assisted in her survival, dreams like this are coming true for Mary. In attendance and honor with her knights in shining armor, Drs. Domingo and Veneranda Alvear, Mary has been invited to share the spotlight with them on April 21, 2012 at PinnacleHealth Auxiliary’s annual “Club PHantastic” fundraiser. This year’s theme is “Star Light, Star Bright, Shine for a Child Tonight” and promises to be a spectacular event. As a special contribution to such a special woman, Taylored for You Bridal Boutique of Mechanicsburg has donated a dress for Mary to wear to this PHantastic event. All proceeds will go to PinnacleHealth Children’s Fund, making it possible for more fairytales to come true. If you are interested in attending the PinnacleHealth Auxiliary event or want more information, please call (717) 657-7124. For information about PinnacleHealth’s children’s services, visit pinnaclehealth.org or call (717) 231-8900. about Domingo T. Alvear, MD Since 1965, Dr. Alvear has been helping children overcome unbelievable odds with his delicate surgical skills. His surgical work has been featured in newspaper articles, books and even on an episode of “Amazing Medical Stories” on The Learning Channel (TLC). Dr. Alvear is the founder and chair of the World Surgical Foundation, a ream of surgeons and other healthcare professionals that serve people in developing or impoverished countries where modern healthcare is not available or is too costly. Each year, Dr. Alvear dedicates himself to at least one mission trip as well as fundraising and other support roles. Patients, and their parents, find Dr. Alvear to be readily available for questions and value his ability to speak to them in terms they understand. pinnaclehealth.org 5
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Mary McCurdy - PinnacleHealth

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