Field trip reaps happiness

It was the middle of summer when the Thomas family got the devastating news that their 10-yearold son, Baxter, would need surgery for a brain tumor. They were at Prisma Health’s Children’s Emergency Center (CEC) inside Richland Hospital, where he was immediately admitted to the pediatric ICU.

There, the team discovered that Baxter loves helicopters. The day before his surgery, they made this request: “What are the chances of us bringing Baxter down to take a field trip to the helipad?”

Lindsay Dowd, CEC nurse manager, said, “We instantly responded with, ‘Of course we can do that!’ Dr. Amanda Stratton then worked her magic and communicated the patient’s wishes to the Comm Center to make a dream come true.”

Child Life Specialist Jordan Parker and RN Taylor Rizzetta soon wheeled Baxter to the CEC, with his mom and dad in tow, and met up with Dowd, Charge Nurse Kelsey Rutter, Dr. Stratton and Child Life Specialist Catie Stallworth. The team escorted Baxter and his parents to the helipad.

Doors open to an ‘awesome day’

“The smile on his face was priceless as the elevator doors opened to the helipad,” Dowd recalled. “A huge thank-you to the LifeNet crew and director for stopping what they were doing and taking the time to make a huge impact on a kiddo’s dream!”

Baxter’s mother said the family was beyond grateful for Baxter’s self-proclaimed “awesome day.”

“I cannot express how much it meant to us as parents to see how the nursing staff went out of their way to make Baxter feel comfortable, safe and cared for,” she said. “To be able to have such a positive experience through such a terrible time made all the difference in his processing and mental health stamina.”

Baxter’s mom said: “For Baxter to meet ‘Pilot Stan’ and tour the helicopter helped keep a smile on his face through the trauma and shock of his diagnosis and surgery. Stan spoke with him at length and treated him like a friend. As Baxter’s mother, I will never forget that kindness.”