There’s a reason that children’s hospitals are filled with toys and cartoons and Disney songs play in every nook and cranny—sometimes, even the building itself looks like a toy!—for they have the power to scare the monsters away and make a child’s hospital stay that much less terrifying.
And, after some lab work, Ava was referred to Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Palmetto Children’s Hospital’s.
After spending three straight weeks hospitalized, she endured a further 28 months of treatment, with regular, scheduled chemo sessions, as well as emergency trips due to fever and illness.It was during these treatments that Ava got to know the nurses at Palmetto very well. To ease her nerves during those treatments, they would let her choose cartoons to watch, and “Frozen,” with its magical ice queen heroine, Elsa, became one of Ava’s top picks.
In particular, “Let It Go” was her go-to song to chase away the boogeyman.
“She always requested that song during chemotherapy,” said her aunt Beejay Parnell, a registered nurse.
The catchy song expresses Elsa’s desire to be happy and free. Perhaps that’s why it resonated with Ava, who most certainly hoped to get back on track soon.
Like many other kids, Ava was in love with the song and wanted to hear it over and over again.
So, when it was time to have the port in her chest removed, nurses in the pediatric operating room teamed up to perform a sing-along rally with Ava to soothe her worries before the procedure.
As Ava, donning a My Little Pony surgical cap, watched “Let It Go” on a cell phone, the nurses sang their hearts out along with her.
Meanwhile, Ava’s anesthesiologist captured the sweet moment on video, and it was later put on the hospital’s blog page before going viral online. The lovely video has since garnered hundreds of reactions and shares.
The comments section quickly flooded with words of encouragement for the brave little girl.
“God bless this hospital and all who enter--our family is grateful for you all. Goooo Ava!!!” one person wrote.
Another commented, “Nurses make the difference!”
“Amazing and beautiful story. Praise the Lord for nurses and hospitals that really do care,” another remarked.
Aunt Parnell, too, was grateful to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital and its professional medical team for their excellent care.
“The care at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital has been excellent,” said Parnell.
“Dr. Ron Neuberg has been our saving grace,” Parnell added. “He explained leukemia in terms families can understand. The entire staff makes us feel like family.”
Thanks to the doctors and nurses at Palmetto, Ava is now doing well, in school once again, and participating in T-ball, tap, ballet, and gymnastics—go Ava!
“She still has a compromised immune system, but she is in school and getting stronger,” said Parnell.
Without a doubt, Elsa’s magical powers of ice and snow played a key role in keeping the monsters at bay and in her recovery. Ava, may you continue to experience the joy of good health!
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