February 2016
Amanda
Stevens
,
RN
Emergency Department
White River Medical Center
Batesville
,
AR
United States
My daughter was brought into the Emergency Department with not eating, peeing, having a BM, and lethargic.These symptoms from what I thought could have been just a stomach bug and nothing serious, but Amanda knew better.When the doctor was at a loss for diagnosis, he was going to send my daughter home, but Amanda knew that she could decline fast. She told the doctor that my daughter needed to be admitted, even though it isn't easy disagreeing with a doctor.He decided to go ahead and admit her. My daughter was air lifted to Arkansas Children's Hospital the next morning as she did decline in health.Two days later, after numerous tests and consults with surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and neurology doctors, she was diagnosed with Type B Botulism, which is a very rare disease. I firmly believe if it wasn't for Amanda's help my daughter would be dead.Even the doctor at Children's credits her with expert assessment skills, knowing there was more going on than a simple stomach bug.