A girl ill eventually followed

Archival Photo Chantal Poirier
Zoe Sankowski, 10 years, still has no official diagnosis, but is followed by 10 specialists at the MUHC. Since may, she receives a follow-up of a dedicated pediatrician.

Héloïse Archambault

Friday, 28 July 2017 22:34

UPDATE
Friday, 28 July 2017 22:34

Look at this article

The parents of a 10-year old girl seriously ill, who had to manage an appointment with one of 10 medical specialists from the same hospital were finally given a personalized support of a pediatrician, after the article in the Newspaper.

“I don’t know where it was blocking, but the article has been able to unlock things ! “says Catherine Nantel, the mother of Zoe Sankowski.

“This is the day and the night “, she adds.

The last may 9, The Newspaper published the story of Zoe, a little girl of 10 years old probably suffering from a autoimmune disease, but that still has no official diagnosis.

Followed by 10 specialists at the Montreal children’s hospital (MUHC), the kid from Boucherville, has had fifty meetings since a year. In front of this portrait, her parents had created a computer file to manage the medical follow-up.

Day to day management

Each week, Ms. Nantel spent about 10 hours in appointment scheduling.

Been out of print for two years and unable to get help, parents have contacted The Journal last may. However, in the two weeks following the article, “everything was set,” says the mother.

“To see the reaction speed of the hospital, there was just maybe to power “, she thinks.

“Of course, they told me that it was not with the article,” she said.

Finally a meeting

Since the publication, a pediatrician and a nurse navigator have been assigned to the file of Zoe to manage appointments and follow-ups. A multidisciplinary meeting, bringing together all of the specialists has also taken place, on the 7th of June. A meeting that the parents expected from 2015.

“Everyone has agreed to keep our appointment, the doctors move to come to see Zoe,” said the mother.

“I am sure and certain that it comes from the direction. It is they who have made things happen, the power is in their hands “, she adds.

Moreover, the girl has got a date of surgery expected, on the same day of the article. The sinus surgery took place on 30 June.

In the last month, the new aid has helped avoid four appointments at the hospital.

“This is major,” said Ms. Nantel. It gives us ways that we didn’t. And it is much more livable. “