Meet Hunter

When Hunter was first starting solid foods it became apparent something was wrong. 8+ hours after eating he would puke. I am talking fully undigested food and milk. We started our medical journey at Cincinnati Children's. Going to urgent care, or the ER not understanding what is going on and why he couldn't keep food down. After being told for 3 months straight "he has the stomach flu" my mom gut exploded. NO ONE gets the stomach flu multiple months in a row, also pukes their food up undigested 8+ hours later. After a bit of kicking and screaming we finally got a referral to GI. We started our GI journey at Cincinnati Children's with Hunter getting his first scope done at just 14 months old. Prior to the scope Hunter had been puking for 12+ Days straight and lost 5 pounds. After his first scope we were told "nothing is wrong." When I brought up his weight loss and his puking I was told by the GI team in Cincinnati just to "put him back on formula." I was angry and I was upset. Why does my kid need to back track in progress when he is supposed to be off formula at 14 months. After his first scope we sought care with another physician within the GI clinic at Cincinnati. Upon meeting this physician, we were told "he is allergic to milk." When we already had blood test to confirm this wasn't true. When questioning their judgment, we were sent to dietary. Dietary said my son isn't allergic to milk and recommended another GI doctor within Cinci. At this point my momma heart was stressed and defeated, holding out hope on this last doctor. Meanwhile Hunter continued to puke, complain of intense belly pain when eating, my happy go lucky child spent 90% of his time on the couch. Upon meeting our 3rd and final doctor at Cincinnati GI, we were told "well he's growing what is your problem." We were given medications that masked his symptoms and as we continued to grow stopped working.

I felt extremely dismissed, ignored, and I was made to feel like I was crazy. NO ONE wanted to listen while my son continued to suffer, that is when I asked our PCP for a second opinion referral to Nationwide Children's Hospital. From the start of the referral to the time we met with the first doctor everything felt so seamless. We already felt cared for and like people were listening to us. Our 1st GI doctor was Dr. Ediger. When we arrived at our appointment he could tell we were stressed and defeated. He took his time and came up with a plan we agreed to. Hunter immediately got scheduled for upper and lower GI scopes. Biopsies were taken, fluid sent off to labs for testing, a full GI work up. Within a month after scopes, we had an answer. Hunter has EPI. All the stars felt like they aligned that day. I didn't feel crazy anymore, I felt validated. All I could ask myself is how did Dr.Ediger give me an answer in 3 months, what took Cincinnati 3 years, and we still left with no answer. From there we met with Dr.Freeman who has been amazing on our journey with EPI. He has helped us grow and understand what it is and how to manage it. We have met with multiple other GI team members on our journey; from all the damage a lack of diagnosis did to Hunter and his GI system. All have been amazing, never once made me feel like I am crazy. When we arrived to Nationwide Children's Hunter was 3 years old. No, where close to potty trained, suffering from pain every day, puking and pooping on himself and miserable. Now Hunter is 5 years old. He is potty trained, no longer puking, and his days in pain are so minimal. He is social and thriving. The GI team gave me my child back. They listened to me, heard my concerns, and worked together as a team. They saw Hunter as a whole child. I am forever thankful to Nationwide Children's and their GI department. Dr. Ediger, Dr.Freeman, Dr.Vaz, Dr.Puri, and Kim Osborne NP. Without all of them Hunter would not be the child he is now. Whenever I hear parents who feel the same way I did at Cincinnati Children's I always tell them the best decision of my life was switching to Nationwide Children's.