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Mindfulness for Children

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Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

We live in a busy and often stressful world. Mindfulness is a simple concept that can help parents and kids be calmer and enjoy life more. Mindfulness means being present, paying attention to what is happening, and accepting it non-judgmentally. This technique is helpful at all ages but learning this when young means children will carry it forward as they grow up. Kids’ brains are still developing, including the prefrontal cortex, which directs focus and control. Mindfulness targets this part of the brain, so it is an excellent opportunity to encourage these skills while the brain is actively growing. Research has shown that mindfulness helps decrease anxiety and improve attention in school-age children. As a result, many schools include mindfulness in their curriculum.

Like so many other things in parenting, modeling behavior is very influential. Practicing mindfulness also helps you parent more effectively. Slowing down, noticing the ‘little things’, making good eye contact, and eliminating distractions (e.g., phones) will help you be present for your child. Start this mindful practice early, beginning with feeding your newborn. Put your phone out of reach (or turn it off), so you won’t be tempted to be looking at it instead of your child.

You can promote mindfulness with your toddler by engaging in activities encouraging focus, such as looking at books, going on walks, and coloring. Just looking closely at grass or flowers (and maybe you’ll find a bug!) teaches patience and calm. Toddlers can also learn to take slow breaths when upset or frustrated. You can demonstrate this, too, and be an excellent example of handling difficult emotions.

Preschoolers can practice mindfulness and focus by being quiet for a short time and increasing this as their patience and ability to “be” increases. Some parents do this at bedtime, starting with kids having eyes closed, being quiet and calm for 15 seconds, then working up to several minutes or more. Your child may then be able to calm themselves more quickly at other times, such as when upset. Taking walks in nature and being attentive to clouds, leaves, birds, etc., encourages your child to be present and focused. Notice and discuss the five senses as you go about your day. What is your child aware of in terms of seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling? You can include mindfulness in eating– enjoying food slowly and being aware of taste and smell instead of just eating in a rush without truly paying attention.

Older kids can understand more about the concepts of mindfulness and master mindfulness techniques. By learning to observe something with curiosity and acceptance instead of having an immediate emotional reaction, your child will be better able to handle complex and stressful situations. By fully paying attention to the present, it is easier to let go of regrets about the past and worries about the future. A simple technique is focusing on the breath; counting each breath up to 10 (‘one breath’ equals breathing in and out) helps with this. Imagining each breath as a gentle wave can also be very calming. Mindful breathing is a form of meditating and can be done for just a minute or more throughout the day. This really does train the mind to focus and be more grounded.

There are lots of helpful online resources. “Smiling Mind” is an Australian website and free app with good info about kids and mindfulness, regulating emotions, and how to promote empathy and connectedness. Other apps have fees but can be very valuable including “Headspace for Kids” and “Calm.” Your child is always learning from you, so the more ‘present’ you are with your child (this means putting down phones), the more both of you can be mindful, calm, and enjoy life.

Resources

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Update: Talking to Your Child about Traumatic Events

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Note: This article was first published in 2017 after the Las Vegas mass shooting. Other than updating the location of recent mass shootings, little else was changed. A sad statement that these horrific tragedies continue.

Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

In the wake of the most recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, we all feel sad and stressed.  Parents also wonder if they should discuss traumatic events such as this with their children, what they should say and how to best reassure their child. Depending on the age of the child, how to do this will vary. 

Under age 2 years, kids do not understand exactly what is happening but often pick up on the emotions of the adults around them, and may cry more often, be fussy and be less social. Preschoolers may have some understanding that something bad happened and will look to their parents for reassurance and a sense of normalcy.  Kids in elementary school may develop fears depending on the trauma (especially a school shooting) and not want to go out to school or other activities. Regressive behavior and wanting more help from their parents are normal.

Preteens through teens, often very informed due to their exposure to media, may feel very worried and overwhelmed. They may minimize their feelings, withdraw, or not want to talk about the event. Their stress could come out in being more argumentative or they may have more physical complaints such as headaches.

Parents are crucial in helping their kids through a traumatic event such as a mass shooting. For the child old enough to express themselves who asks about the event, find out what they know or have heard. Keep your discussion age appropriate, and don’t volunteer additional details that may add to your child’s distress. For a preschool child, a simple explanation that a bad person hurt people but can’t hurt anyone anymore is enough. Of course, reassurance that they are safe is vital.

With their access to the news via their phone or computer, older kids may have more specific questions and worries.  They may have heard misinformation from their friends and social media. Give them your full attention and listen carefully. Address their concerns and correct misperceptions. Remind them of the plans in place to help prevent these events and plans that go into action if /when such events occur- and that as tragic as a mass shooting is, it is very rare.

Kids of all ages benefit in these situations from parents being very available, whether it is for questions and conversation or just warm hugs and time together (take your lead from your child). Keeping the family routine including school, activities, and family meals is important.

It is healthy to express your emotions and encourage your child to do the same but process your own feelings before addressing the event with your child. Seeking help from a counselor, health care provider, or clergy member is appropriate for anyone feeling distraught and overwhelmed weeks later, or if you are worried about how your child is coping. 

We have ‘screens’ everywhere and younger children may think every photo or video is actually another tragedy happening. Children with Internet-connected devices should avoid overexposure to the event- the same goes for parents. Younger kids (some say under age 11) should not watch the news or news videos online at all because the visuals can be too overwhelming.

In the face of such incomprehensible tragedy, we can remember PBS’ Mr. Rogers recalling what his mom told him:

Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.

Good advice for all of us. Highlight the bright spots—the first responders, the heroes, average people doing what they can, be it donating blood or giving money to help. Tweens and teens may want to get involved to help promote social change; the non-profit website DoSomething.org is a fine place to start. There is a lot of the good in the world, and we can be the good and an example to our children. Be extra kind, help your child do something nice for someone else, and make your corner of the world a reassuring place for your child. 

Resources:

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Kids & Allergies

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Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

Spring is here, the weather is improving and it’s great for kids to be outside, unless your child is itchy, congested, and miserable due to allergies. Seasonal allergies are rare under age 2 years but very common after that, affecting up to 40% of children. If your child struggles with allergies, there are strategies and treatments that can have them happily outside and relatively symptom-free this spring and summer.
Allergies are the immune system’s response to things such as pollens, grasses, dust, cat dander, and more. The immune system makes antibodies called Immunoglobulin E which then cause the release of histamines, chemicals in the body which cause allergy symptoms.

The typical culprits for seasonal allergies are flower and tree pollens (like cottonweed) which cause symptoms from spring through early summer. Grass pollen starts to cause problems in the spring and lasts the entire summer. Ragweed and mold spores (often found in hay) are typically problematic in late summer to fall.
Itchiness is the ‘hallmark’ of allergy and can involve the nose, eyes, and skin. Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, throat clearing, and itchy pink, watery eyes are common. Children do not develop a fever with allergies. Kids can get raised pink itchy bumps called hives if their skin is exposed to something they are allergic to, like grass. Allergies can make asthma worse, causing wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath.

Allergies are often diagnosed by simply recognizing the symptoms and when they occur. Classic symptoms, which occur in spring and summer and worsen with outdoor exposure, do not need testing to make the diagnosis. Testing is indicated if allergy symptoms do not improve with typical treatments or if symptoms are severe or confusing. Skin testing is usually done in an allergist’s office with results in about 15 minutes. Allergy meds need to be stopped for at least 5 days before skin testing. Blood testing, which is best for kids who cannot stop their allergy meds or who have a skin condition like severe eczema which would make skin testing difficult, looks at the amount of Immunoglobulin E for certain allergens.

So how to help your itchy, allergic kiddo?

  • Rinsing off from head to toe and changing clothes helps, both when they are having lots of allergy symptoms and routinely before bed.
  • They should also wash their hands and face when they come in from playing outside to remove pollens.
  • Cool moist compresses to those itchy eyes provide relief, too.

There are multiple long-acting over-the-counter antihistamines which are safe and effective. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is for kids 6 months and older, and Loratadine (Claritin) and Fexofenadine (Allegra) are approved for those 2 years and up. Loratadine and Fexofenadine are non-sedating; Cetirizine may cause mild sedation in a small percentage of people. Benadryl is not ideal since it only lasts 6 hours and typically is sedating.

If an oral medication is not adequate treatment, there are other options including nasal sprays such as Flonase and Astelin, and eye drops such as Zaditor and Pataday. Young kids may resist these at first but become more accepting as they get older. If allergies are severe, allergy immunotherapy (injections) may be recommended by the allergist. For kids 5 and above with severe grass or ragweed allergies, the allergist might prescribe immunotherapy pills that are placed under the tongue daily.

Every kid deserves to be able to get outside this spring and summer! Discuss your child’s allergies with their health care provider for more information.

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

headshot of Dr. Elise Herman
Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Mary Holmgren (KVH Volunteer)

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In 2022, April 17-23 is National Volunteer Week.

It was early 2002 when Doug and Mary Holmgren, freshly retired, moved east to be near to their children’s growing families. Not long after, a granddaughter was born at KVH Hospital.

“I noticed the hospital was preparing to open a gift shop,” says Mary, who had volunteered for years at the Mary Bridge hospital gift shop and knew a thing or two about retail.

When the KVH gift shop was ready to open, Mary was there to volunteer. Of course, it wasn’t all hard work. “Dolly McFadden did the coffee and I did the shop,” recalls Mary. “Wyman (Renfrow) would be here sometimes. We’d all get a bit noisy when there were no customers around. We were having a good time.”

The trio stayed flexible, shifting into new roles wherever they were most needed. Mary moved across the hall to the courtesy desk, and Wyman to the outpatient waiting area, to help patients and family members who were visiting the hospital. After their shifts, the friends would often have lunch together and catch up on family news.

Twenty years later, Mary remains a familiar face at KVH Hospital. She’s spent most of her adult life volunteering, even during a busy career as a pediatric nurse. “I enjoy meeting people,” she explains. She considers KVH “a nice place to volunteer,” adding, “Much of the time, the people you’re helping are neighbors and friends.”

That strong desire to help others unexpectedly pulled Mary out of retirement and onto the KVH payroll for several years. During a visit to her doctor at KVH Internal Medicine, one of the nurses was clearly struggling: a family emergency on the east coast was her heart’s priority, yet she was unable to travel without someone to cover her clinic shifts.

Enter Mary. Still waiting to be seen by the doctor, Mary realized there was something she could do to help. “I’m a registered nurse, you know,” she offered. “I have my license.”

The moment Mary’s exam ended, the nurse took her straight to the clinic manager. There was no hesitation. “I was signed up right then and there,” says Mary, who worked in an on-call capacity for the next half-dozen years, covering for maternity leaves, vacation, sick days, and more. She was happy to help, and did so on her own terms. “If Doug and I had a vacation planned, I let them know I wasn’t available. It worked out well for everybody.”

When COVID struck in 2020, protocols changed as the safety of patients and staff became more important than ever. With a strict visitation policy in place, volunteers were among those who were unable to enter the hospital and clinics. Mary took the next available opportunity to serve, lending a hand in late 2020 during COVID vaccination efforts at KVH Hospital and again at the mass vaccination clinics held at the Fairgrounds in 2021.

Today, Mary’s back at the courtesy desk, helping patients with her trademark smile, visible even behind a face mask. KVH staff are thrilled to see the return of volunteers, who are more like work family and were dearly missed. “We really need nurses, Mary,” one of her former Internal Medicine colleagues teased, recently.

Mary laughs. “I said, ‘I’m done.’ I retired at the end of 2013, and didn’t renew my license.”

Donation by The Foundation at KVH

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The Foundation at KVH presents Kittitas Valley Healthcare with Donation

(Ellensburg) March 31, 2022 – The Foundation at Kittitas Valley Healthcare, which directly supports the programs and services of Kittitas Valley Healthcare, presented a check for $402,690.00 to Kittitas Valley Healthcare on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.  The release of funds is the largest in Foundation history thanks to generous donations from the community. 

“The Foundation is pleased to fund new state-of-the-art equipment for use in the surgical unit, CADD pumps for use by Home Health and Hospice and cardiac stress testing equipment from our FUND-A-Need campaigns of 2020-21,” said Bill Boyum, Foundation Board President.  “The new equipment uses the most advanced technology available and the Foundation is excited to be able to make this purchase for Kittitas Valley Healthcare.”

“Community support has always made us stronger and the need for charitable contributions is as great as it has ever been, said Foundation Board President, Bill Boyum. “The opportunity for meaningful impact is immense.”

The Foundation raises funds annually through an annual appeal to donors, Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer awareness campaign and through fundraising events.

Foundation Board President, Bill Boyum, along with The Foundation Board of Directors, present KVH Commissioners Dr. Robert Davis and Jon Ward, KVH CFO, Scott Olander and KVH Chief of Facilities, Ron Urlacher with a check on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

For Immediate Release (PDF)

For more information on The Foundation at KVH, or to make a donation, please visit kvhealthcare.org/foundation.

Nature & Children

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photo courtesy of KEEN

Contributor: Dr. Elise Herman

Many of us recall childhoods filled with lots of outdoor time, whether it was playing in the backyard, going to parks, building forts, or just running around. Our kids, however, are having very different childhoods, with most spending less than 30 minutes a day outside and up to 7 hours daily in front of some type of technology. The negative physical and emotional effects of this shift are far-reaching and concerning. Rising obesity rates and more mental health issues are huge problems in kids and too much time inside and on electronics are felt to contribute. Research shows that simple outdoor time in nature (recommended to be at least 60 minutes a day) can help reverse these trends.

The benefits for children of getting outside in nature are well documented:

  • Increased physical activity, decreased snacking, and therefore decreased obesity
  • Increased imagination, creativity, and focus
  • Improved distance vision (kids without much outdoor exposure are more likely to have nearsightedness)
  • Increased Vitamin D levels (important in bone and immune system health)
  • Decreased stress, depression, and anxiety
  • Better behavior with less anger and aggression
  • Boost in confidence and self-reliance
  • Improved sleep

So what does outside nature time look like? It could be exploring the backyard or park, hiking, gardening, riding bikes, or just sitting under a tree daydreaming. Unstructured time, without a specific plan, encourages a child to get creative and be independent.

There are some terrific opportunities in our community for kids to get outside this summer. We have wonderful city parks and lots of hiking trails, including the Palouse to Cascades Trail (formerly called the John Wayne Trail) which is easily accessible and great for all ages.

We are fortunate to have nature/outdoor camps as well. Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center in the nearby Manastash Canyon offers day, overnight, and family camps. Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) provides nature-based education for all ages year round and will once again hold the “Windy City Park Rangers” day camp program in local parks this summer for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade (more information coming mid-April). KEEN also has the Pond to Pines nature-centered summer camp for children in pre-K through 10th grade which is based at Helen McCabe Park. KEEN has been awarded substantial grants and is able to provide 80 full scholarships for kids from families in need.

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So get your kiddo out regularly in nature now and make summer plans for more of the same. Enjoy the benefits of turning your child into a nature-loving, active, outdoor enthusiast!

More summer camp info at:

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Dr. Elise Herman

headshot of Dr. Elise Herman
Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Reach Out and Read

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Contributor: Dr. Elise Herman

The pandemic has affected so many things for our children, including their education. Despite incredible efforts by devoted teachers and school staff, progress in reading has suffered significantly, with many more students at risk of not learning to read than prior to the pandemic. Kids who do not learn to read in elementary school are at greater risk of dropping out, earning less, and getting in trouble with the law.

A valuable community resource for helping children become good readers may surprise you—it’s your child’s healthcare clinic. The national literacy program for children, Reach Out and Read, has been at Community Health of Central Washington for about 10 years and started at Kittitas Valley Healthcare pediatric and family medicine clinics this month. Reach Out and Read (ROR) was founded in 1989 by a group of pediatricians and educators. It promotes reading by giving out free books at every well child visit from age 6 months through 5 years, and is the only children’s literacy program endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The books chosen are age appropriate and culturally sensitive to be ideal for each child. At the well child check, the provider shows the book to the child, perhaps modeling for the parents how to engage with their child through reading, while encouraging the child to handle and explore the book. This is typically an extremely positive part of the visit for all!

The effects of reading together with kids early and consistently are impressive. This activity and the extra love and attention that go along with it help promote brain development, especially important in the first three years of life. Children who are read to tend to develop better recognition of letters and sounds, have a bigger vocabulary, and become better listeners. The connection between parent and child while reading is also reassuring and soothing.

Research has shown that kids who are part of Reach Out and Read show better language scores (both speaking and listening) and their language development continues to improve with ongoing involvement with the program. ROR parents are twice as likely to read to their kids at least 3 times a week, and report increased enjoyment with reading together.

Here are a few tips to best encourage reading in your home:
  • Read together daily, especially at bedtime
  • Encourage your child to hold the book and turn the pages
  • You don’t have to read the words exactly, especially to young children; you can just talk about the pictures
  • Encourage your child to point to things in the book and ask your child questions Simple books, with rhyming and repetition, are perfect for young kids
  • Bilingual books and books about people from different cultures build empathy and understanding of others
  • Be a good role model and regularly read yourself, ideally using traditional books as opposed to an electronic device
Early Literacy Resources in Spanish

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits for Your Child

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Contributor: Dr. Elise Herman

As parents, we want our children to eat well. Yet all we can do is set the stage for healthy eating; it is up to the child in terms of how much and exactly what they eat from the food offered. Here are some guidelines that help kids develop healthy eating habits; starting early with these habits can help prevent childhood obesity, diabetes, and other problems.

Have family meals

Eating together encourages conversation, connection, and healthier food choices and portion sizes. Research has shown that teens who have regular family dinners have lower rates of depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and obesity. And remember– no TV or electronic devices at the table for kids and adults alike.

Avoid struggles around food

Toddlers tend to be picky, and preschoolers often have a decreased appetite. It is better to look at their intake over a week as opposed to pressuring your child to ‘clean their plate’ or eat what is served at any one meal. Children actually eat less overall if they are coaxed to eat, and mealtime is not much fun. Trust your child to eat what they need to stay healthy. 

Go by “MyPlate.gov”

This is the government’s recommendation for healthy eating that has replaced the Food Pyramid (more information at MyPlate.gov). Half of the ‘plate’ should be fruits and veggies (with slightly more veggies than fruit), the other half should be split between grains and protein. Half the grains should be whole grains like oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice. Protein may include non-meat sources such as beans, lentils, plain yogurt, and tofu. Turkey, chicken, and lean ground beef are appropriate choices if your family eats meat, though meat is not needed every day. 

Kids Activity Downloads / Fun Word Search Crossword Puzzle

Offer appropriate portion sizes

Portion sizes that are too large encourage overeating. An easy way to judge is to compare portions to the size of your child’s hand (this conveniently works as your child grows). Fruits, veggies, cereal, and rice servings should be about the size of a closed fist. Meat portions should be the size of the palm and added fats such as butter and mayonnaise should be about the size of the tip of the thumb. If kids want seconds, make it salad or veggies. 

Don’t forget the beverages

Water should be your child’s mainstay. From age 1-2 years, whole milk is recommended (unless your child is still breastfeeding) and thereafter choose low fat milk. 16-24 ounces is a good daily maximum. After age 2 years, 2-2 ½ cups of dairy (be it milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) is recommended. Drinking milk excessively may decrease the appetite for healthy solids and interfere with iron absorption which can lead to severe iron deficiency. Remember to stop bottles by age 1 year and to limit juice (if any) to a max of 4 ounces a day. It is much better to eat a fruit (with its healthy fiber) than to drink juice which contains as much sugar as soda. No sugar-sweetened drinks should be given on a regular basis (this includes chocolate milk).

Be smart about snacks

Avoid chips and processed snack foods and instead choose healthy snacks such as fruits, veggies, peanut butter, and plain yogurt. Adding a bit of honey or jam to plain yogurt is better than fruited yogurts which are high in sugar. Canned fruit is fine but choose “no sugar added” types.

Be a good role model

Talk about enjoying nourishing yourself with healthy food. Don’t discuss any food struggles you may have (dieting, poor body image, etc.). Model the idea of stopping eating when you are satisfied and full. Limiting fast food and processed food is important, but still OK to enjoy occasionally. 

Get your child involved

Kids love to help and can do so by looking at recipes, setting the table, assisting with cooking when age appropriate, and learning to pick healthy foods at the grocery store. This may translate to more enthusiasm at the dinner table as well as good training for when they are older and more independent.

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

headshot of Dr. Elise Herman
Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Tony Nelson (COVID-19)

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Reliable friend. Life of the party. Hardworking. People person.

That’s how Anthony Nelson’s friends and family have always described him. With a quick wit, sharp intellect and enviable social skills, Tony, 49, enjoyed a thriving dual career as a mortgage broker and realtor in Upper Kittitas County for the past 17 years. “I was helping people make the biggest purchase of their lives,” he says.

Then COVID struck.

Tony spent several days in a fever and mental fog. Concerned, his girlfriend took him to KVH Urgent Care in Cle Elum for a COVID test. While waiting at home for test results, Tony’s condition worsened. He stopped answering his phone. Tony’s mom sent an urgent text to her best friend, Marta Whalen, a nurse at KVH Hospital.

“She asked me to check in on Tony,” says Marta, who was on a trip to Colorado at the time. “She was worried that he sounded ‘not great’ on the phone.” The next day, Marta got a voicemail: Tony had COVID. Good thing Marta hadn’t been able to visit and be exposed to it.

“I’m thinking just the opposite,” says Marta, as what she jokingly calls her “nursing brain” went into high gear. “Yeah, I do probably want to go there if he has COVID and doesn’t sound good.” She returned to Washington the next day and made a beeline from the airport to Tony’s place.

Marta entered the house in mask and gloves. “I was vaccinated, but I hadn’t come face-to-face yet with a ‘full-blown’ COVID patient,” she admits. It was dark as she sat on the far corner of Tony’s bed and asked if she could turn the lights on. He agreed.

“Every breath in and out was wheezing, with difficulty,” recalls Marta, who knew she had to act quickly. She gave Tony the choice: call 9-1-1 or head to the urgent care clinic.

Tony opted for Urgent Care. It took mere minutes to assess him, and soon Tony was loaded into an ambulance. Before the rig departed, Marta made sure he had his wallet, phone and charger. “I knew Tony wasn’t coming home any time soon.”

Saving a Life

Tony has no memory of the ambulance ride or his time at KVH Hospital. He was shocked months later when scrolling through photos on his cell phone and discovering a video he’d made from his hospital bed. “I really thought I was dead,” he says, “so I made a video message for my family. ‘Mom, Dad, I love you. I wish I could have been a better son,’ – you know, just sad, very sad.”

Tony’s condition quickly deteriorated. He was airlifted to Harborview, where he spent 59 days on a ventilator, got a tracheostomy, was placed in a medically induced coma and then on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – a process that uses a special machine to replace the functions of the heart and lungs by externally processing and circulating a patient’s blood supply).

The gravity of Tony’s condition was clear to everyone. Without hesitation, his parents signed off on experimental treatments for their son, in hopes of saving his life.

Weeks later, Tony emerged from the induced coma. He’d been strapped to his hospital bed. “The first thing I heard was the noise of machines,” he recalls. “I heard the ventilator breathing for me and the ECMO transferring blood to and from my body. I had multiple tubes stuck in my neck and thighs. All I could do was observe. I was too shaky and weak to even write. I had a tracheotomy tube in my throat and couldn’t speak. I was just plain terrified, and couldn’t comprehend where I was or how I got there.”

For the next several weeks, Tony joined his medical team in the battle for his recovery. “We all fought like hell every day to make me live.”

A ‘New Normal’

After two months at Harborview – “Where I believe the very best doctors and nurses in the world work” – Tony was finally released. “It was time for me to see and be with the people I love.” His sister-in-law Janell drove him to his home in Cle Elum, where family was waiting. They helped him out of her car, into a wheelchair, and into his house. “I’ve been here ever since,” laughs Tony, who can count on one hand the number of times he’s been out in the past six months.

“Tony doesn’t go to the grocery store. He doesn’t go out for entertainment, shopping, or visiting friends,” says his primary care provider, Dr. Andrew Thomas. (Doctor visits are also on the list of things Tony’s been unable to do as often as he should.)

When asked to compare Tony to his pre-COVID self, Thomas replies with compassion and great respect for his patient, “Tony is the shell of the man I once knew.”

On rare ventures out, Tony returns to KVH Hospital where he works with Jim Allen, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services, to test his now-damaged lungs. It’s an important part of what Allen calls Tony’s “very long road to recovery.”

“Tony’s situation is a vivid reminder of what COVID can do,” says Allen. “It also reminds me why healthcare providers do what we do.” During a visit in early September, Tony’s lung function measured at half of what it had been in January, pre-COVID.

The Aftermath

“Nobody’s taking COVID seriously until they get it. And then it’s just too late, man.”

Tony has a message for those who have witnessed his epic struggles and yet aren’t concerned about the virus. “First of all, you could die,” he says. “And second of all, if you do happen to make it through, you get to deal with the aftermath.”

For Tony, the aftermath means being unable to work, walk, and even talk for longer periods of time. It means body pains, tremors, headaches. Loss of concentration, memory and balance. It means using aids and adaptive equipment to do the most basic activities – breathing, walking, showering, going to the bathroom. And all while dealing with overburdened government and insurance systems to get basic assistance.

“I cannot operate or function without help from others,” Tony explains. “I now have oxygen machines, in-home physical and occupational therapy. My wonderful family bought equipment for my home. All these things cost money.”

Even so, Tony counts his blessings. He worries about others in similar situations who don’t have the resources and relationships that make all the difference when the bottom falls out of life. When a Facebook page was created to keep family and friends informed, some offered financial help. That was tough for Tony to take. “Everybody’s going through a hard time right now. There are people out there worse off than me.”

Caring about others is also the reason why Tony insists on sharing his story. “If I can help one person by sharing this, it’s worth it,” he says. “People need to know. It’s not just about getting sick, it’s about how sick you get. And then if you do happen to get incredibly sick, knocking on heaven or hell – if you survive, it’s a long deal.”

Final thoughts

A few weeks ago, Tony was able to get the COVID-19 vaccine, a fact he proudly announced during one of our phone conversations. He continues to adapt to his new life of daily struggle in the pursuit of healing and wholeness.

“Getting COVID is one thing,” says Tony. “Getting severe COVID is an entirely different subset of the disease. If people don’t act with common sense and get vaccinated, they can get COVID, severe COVID, and possibly die.” He adds, “None of these things need to happen. Those without a medical history of adverse allergic reactions need to get vaccinated. People need to think not only about themselves but society in general.”

“Tony lost his self-confidence, and for a while he lost his sense of humor,” notes Dr. Thomas. “He is rebuilding his emotional strength, but his physical strength has not yet returned. And at this point, he doesn’t have confidence that it ever will.”

“It must be really, really difficult to realize that you might never have the capacity or potential that you did before,” agrees Marta. Having lost two unvaccinated friends to COVID in the past year, she pleads for others to reconsider their own decisions not to vaccinate. “Please, think of the community, and the families that you live with and love.”

Perhaps because Tony beat the odds when others in his situation didn’t survive, his closest friends and caregivers can’t help but be optimistic. That includes Marta, who Tony will forever credit with saving his life by making him get out of bed and get help.

“Tony’s got a long recovery ahead,” says Marta, a smile coming through in her voice, “but I’m confident that he can get there because he’s so stubborn and strong.”

“This has pushed my mind and body harder than anything I have ever been through,” says Tony. “It’s made the good old days of two-a-day practices when I played college football seem like an ice cream eating contest.”

While each day brings a new set of challenges, Tony’s brush with death has given him a renewed outlook on life.

“I am grateful and happy to be here in the present.”


With all the support he’s received, Tony’s list of people to thank is a mile long. Here are just a few of the people he’s very grateful for:
Tony’s parents, Ronda & Ray Thompson and Mike and Phyllis Nelson
Marta Whalen
Stacy Houle
The team of doctors at KVH Hospital, including Jim Allen
The many teams of doctors & nurses at Harborview Medical Center
Dr. Andrew Thomas
Karlee Rahm
Gina Bjorklund
Drew & Jeanell Nelson
Justine Viviano
All the friends and family members that visited Tony in the hospital and supported him virtually on the group Facebook page
Special call-out to these friends that have gone above and beyond: Chanda and Matt Daly, Tim Stime, Jamie Steele, Justin Trost, Mark Krier, Mario Aguedelo, Rob Zutter & Meke Hansen, Wendy Retacco Hatteberg – owner of Retacco Law Offices – for donating pro bono legal services

COVID-19 and Children- Infection and Vaccines

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Contributor: Dr. Elise Herman, KVH Pediatrics

Little girl with a dog toy is leaning on the window

Parents know too well what “pandemic fatigue” is. They are tired of it all- the masking, the distancing, the quarantining, the disruption of life, and the loss of a “normal childhood” for their kids. But this is a critical time in the COVID-19 pandemic as the Omicron variant surges; Omicron is certainly targeting the unvaccinated, and many of those are children.

The number of daily cases of COVID-19 in the US is over 900,000 as of January 7, 2022. 17% of these are children and most concerning is the huge jump in pediatric hospitalizations. There recently has been a 50% increase in COVID hospitalizations for kids under age 5, the biggest increase since the pandemic started. Over 82,000 kids have been hospitalized with COVID thus far, and there is now a new record for hospitalizations of kids under age 18 years- almost 800 daily. Some of these are as young as 2 months old.

Pediatric hospitals are feeling the strain, including Seattle Children’s Hospital, according to staff pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Danielle Zerr. Dr. Zerr noted in a recent New York Times article that the number of young children in Seattle Children’s Hospital with COVID is much higher than with previous Delta surges. Some of these very sick children have risk factors such as asthma or obesity, but many were previously healthy children without underlying problems.

Omicron seems to cause milder disease overall but can cause severe illness and is much more transmissible than the Delta variant. With so many more people getting infected, even if a smaller percentage get very sick, the total number of those who get severely ill will be very large. The unvaccinated are most at risk, and of course this includes kids under 5 years since they are not eligible for the vaccine yet. A parent’s best strategy to protect their child is straightforward: vaccinate if eligible, avoid crowded spaces (especially inside), continue masking and social distancing. Additionally, make sure all the older kids and adults in their family are vaccinated.

Those who are vaccinated can still get COVID, especially with the Omicron variant, but they are less likely to get a severe illness, and less likely to be hospitalized. If kids are fully vaccinated and exposed at school, they do not need to quarantine. Those who are vaccinated are less likely to transmit the virus, helping to keep their family healthy and their school open.

As of December 5, 2021, almost 4.8 million US kids ages 5-11 had received at least one COVID vaccine dose. There have been no cases of heart inflammation (myocarditis) in this age group which was noted to be a very rare side effect of the vaccine in young adult and adolescent males previously. It is important to remember that COVID infection itself is much more likely to cause heart problems in this age group than would the vaccine. We have had enough experience now to know the vaccine is safe and effective.

Can we imagine a time when there is ‘background’ COVID, like influenza, but not huge surges that overwhelm our healthcare systems, shutter schools and businesses, and disrupt our lives? That is the “learning to live with the virus” scenario that may be our future. To get there we need to have many more people vaccinated (including our children) to minimize the rise of new variants. Increased access to testing and better therapies to fight COVID infection will also be important. We all really do have the opportunity to help move us along towards that goal, and towards a better future for our children.

more about the contributor

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Dr. Elise Herman

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Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.