Possibilities - Children's Hospital Central California

Megan Darcy found out she had diabetesthe hard way.She went into a diabetic coma. Time was of the essence.She was rushed to San Joaquin Community Hospitalin her hometown of Bakersfield. Doctors diagnosedher with juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes, one of the mostcommon chronic diseases in children. It is estimatedthat one in every 600 children in the U.S. developsjuvenile diabetes. This happened in October 2003, whenMegan was only seven years old.The unconscious patient was airlifted to Children’sHospital Central California - just north of Fresno - toreceive specialized pediatric care from EndocrinologistDr. Swati Banerjee. Children’s multidisciplinarytreatment team is highly experienced in the careof young diabetic patients. As soon as Air George,Children’s Hospital’s transport helicopter, toucheddown, Dr. Banerjee sprang into action.Type 1 Diabetes is the result of the body’s failure toproduce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose toenter the cells of the body to provide fuel. When glucosecannot enter the cells, it builds up in the blood causingthe body’s cells to starve to death. This is the result ofan autoimmune process in which the body’s immunesystem attacks and destroys the insulin producing cellsof the pancreas.Now 10 years old, Megan takes daily insulin injectionsand regularly monitors her blood sugar levels. Shedemonstrates with a quick prick from her pocket-sizeglucose monitor.“One-hundred and nine,” she says positively, afterreading her blood sugar level on the small monitor.“My range is 70 to 150 now.”She continues to visit the Hospital’s Diabetes andEndocrinology Practice every three months, whereSwing Into ActionPhoto SponsorEarl & MurielSmittcampThe Players: Dr. Swati Banerjee and the Diabetes and Endocrinology Practice at Children’sMegan was stabilized and then hospitalized for fourdays. Dr. Banerjee started a treatment regime thatbrought Megan’s blood sugar level within normal ranges.When she came out of the coma – her family at herbedside – the first thing she asked for was one of herfavorite foods, cottage cheese and peaches.“Dr. Banerjee is wonderful,” says her great-grandmother,Trudie Gregory. “The doctors and nurses were all rightthere, everyone was so helpful. You couldn’t ask for abetter hospital.”Dr. Banerjee monitors her condition. An accreditedAmerican Diabetes Association Center of Excellence,the Practice specializes in diagnosis and management ofchildren with diabetes or endocrine disorders.Besides pausing to monitor her glucose regularly,Megan is constantly on the go. When she’s not involvedin Girl Scouts, she’s busy giving her dog Shaggy lotsof affection. Swimming and shopping are also highpriorities, particularly at the Build-A-Bear Workshop.“I’m a Build-A-Bear fanatic,” exclaims Megan. “Ihave 14!”With her condition under control, the soon to be 6thgrade student at McKee Elementary School is morepopular than ever. “I like to talk a lot,” she says, smiling.But don’t let the social butterfly fool you. In school, sheexcels academically, earning A’s and B’s in class.“Mostly A’s,” says her great grandfather, James Gregory.“Her great-grandmother keeps her going.”And the academic all-star has a plethora of awards andachievements to prove it, from Honor Roll certificatesto Perfect Attendance honors.Sponsored byWith her personality and brains, along with theexcellent medical care she receives at Children’s, Meganwill surely catapult herself into a successful future.