Possibilities - Children's Hospital Central California

On the road to recovery, Bryanna Baeza’sbouncy journey has landed her atChildren’s Hospital Central California.The usually energetic 9-year-old wasn’t herself inMarch of this year. She was vomiting and wasn’teating. All she wanted to do was lay down.A hasty trip to the hometown physician in Mendotarevealed little. The symptoms looked like a normalchildhood illness.But her condition worsened. Bryanna’s mother,Olga Baeza, decided to take her daughter to theemergency room at St. Agnes Medical Center inFresno. “They did some blood work and told me thather kidneys weren’t functioning,” said Olga.From there, doctors immediately transported herChildren’s Nephrology team – pediatric specialistswho focus on kidney disease and disorders – aggressivelytreated her with fluids, antibiotics and dialysis.Just as the little patient was beginning to rebound, sheexperienced respiratory problems and woundup back at Children’s Hospital for another coupleof weeks.“All of the doctors who cared for Bryanna werereally good,” said Olga. “They are professionals intreating children.”Bryanna’s mom credits the nephrology specialists andher daughter’s supercharged resilience in helping herbounce back.“The nurses there at the PICU (Pediatric IntensiveCare Unit) were really good too,” recalls Olga. “TheySupercharged ResilienceThe Players: Doctors Jerome Murphy, Syed Kamal and the medical staff at Children’s Nephrology Practiceby ambulance – a hop, skip and a jump away – toChildren’s Hospital Central California to receivespecialized pediatric care.Bryanna was in the hospital for a month under thecare of the Children’s dynamic duo, NephrologistsDr. Jerome Murphy and Dr. Syed Kamal. She hadStreptococcal Glomerulonephritis, an infection of thekidney, which led to kidney failure.In addition to the infection, her electrolytes wereout of balance, she was severely anemic, and she hadsevere high blood pressure – all things controlled byher kidney. Worse, she also had a stroke and sufferedfrom seizures due to clotting and bleeding problems.talked to me about everything that was going on andeverything that was going to happen to Bryanna.”Back in the comfort of her home, Bryanna receives10 hours of peritoneal dialysis every night. A specialmachine removes waste substances and fluid from herblood that are normally eliminated by her kidneys.She’s back to doing what she loves, going shoppingand buying Bratz dolls, as well as eating her favoritefood, spaghetti.“In the beginning it was bad but now she’s acceptingit,” says Olga. Thanks to the support from her mom,dad, her older sister Ruby and older brother Javier,combined with the exceptional care she receivedat Children’s.She visits the Nephrology Practice monthly whereNephrology Medical Director Dr. Jerome Murphyand Dr. Kamal continue her treatment. “She isdoing very well,” adds Marion Marino, RN, dialysiscoordinator at Children’s Dialysis Center.Due to the extent of her condition, Bryanna willrequire a kidney transplant. But the family is hopeful.“If I’m compatible and I’m healthy enough, I’m goingto donate my kidney to her,” says her mom.Sponsored byNow mom admits that Bryanna’s a superchargedhandful, but smiles and says she wouldn’t have it anyother way.