Home Care Stories
Home Care Nurse Opens Her Heart to Little Girl - Two-year-old Cindi-Jo Edwards suffers from a rare heart disease
Keene, N.H. - At eight days old, Cindi-Jo Edwards had open-heart surgery. At 18 months old, she had it again. She will have it at least once more.
Cindi-Jo, who is now two years old, has hemitruncus, a rare heart disease. In addition to the two open-heart surgeries, she has had two catheterizations involving surgery and two without. Throughout it all, Roxanne Edwards, a single mother and Keene resident, had no other parents with children with the same disease to turn to for support. "It's very rare. I could not locate other parents with the same situation," she said. Fortunately, she was able to locate HCS - Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services.
"Before Cindi-Jo was born, I would have thought home health care meant elderly people," said Edwards. In fact, agency caregivers work with all ages, and can include nurses, aides, volunteers, counselors and others, working as a team in support and partnership with the family and the individual.
Beth Shelton, RN, has been working with Cindi-Jo since she was one month old. Shelton said she primarily keeps an eye on her status and progress. "Roxanne is a strong advocate for Cindi-Jo. I provide reassurance," said Shelton.
Edwards said Shelton does that, and a whole lot more. "She taught me about different heart rates, blood flow, oxygen levels, and how to listen with a stethoscope. That type of time and attention home care providers bring is invaluable."
Edwards said Shelton may have been a lifesaver in one instance. Edwards said one doctor was ready to give up in terms of providing further treatment on her daughter. Shelton urged her to seek another opinion. She did, and within six days, Cindi-Jo had another surgery that helped provide relief. Said Edwards, "Without Beth, I probably would have said, 'Okay, you're the doctor.'"
Shelton said Cindi-Jo has never been symptomatic, thus it is important to watch for signs that could indicate a problem, for instance, weight loss. "I always sort of consider myself an extra eye and ear for the doctors," she said. Shelton visits Cindi-Jo at her daycare once or twice a week. "She's adorable. She comes running at me," said Shelton. That has not always been the case, however.
Often after surgery, Cindi-Jo has been traumatized and hesitant to go to Shelton. It was at these times that Edwards developed a true admiration for the home care nurse. "She wouldn't rush Cindi-Jo. She would sit and do paperwork and wait for Cindi-Jo to not be so intimidated and come to her," said Edwards. Her respect for Shelton was further enhanced when Shelton attended Cindi-Jo's christening when she was 18 months old, bringing the Book of Angels for Cindi-Jo and a pin for her in celebration.
"You really get close to the families," said Shelton.
Edwards agrees. "I thank God every day for Beth. She's a godsend to me."
HCS - Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services makes approximately 115,800 home visits per year, travelling more than 180,400 miles. They serve approximately 10,000 individuals per year in all of the organization's programs.
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