Ten-year-old all-star cheerleader Morgan was performing at a competition when she suffered terrible stomach pain as she left the stage, shaking uncontrollably and unable to catch her breath. The facility owner where the competition was held was also a nurse and had known Morgan for years. She knew something was not right and urged her mom, Allison, to take her to a doctor quickly.
Over the course of the next six months, Morgan's pediatrician considered several possible diagnoses, including lactose intolerance and sugar/glucose sensitivity. But nothing helped, and Morgan continued to experience terrible stomach pain, getting weaker, and her weight dropped to 65 pounds.
"I was so drained. My whole personality changed. I stopped wanting to go out and hang out with friends."
One day, as Morgan's pain continued to worsen, Morgan's primary care physician recommended that she see a St. Christopher’s specialist, Dr. Feinstein.
"Then we met Dr. Feinstein, and everything changed," Allison said.
Dr. Laurence Feinstein, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with St. Christopher's Specialty Pediatrics in Yardley. "She was pretty malnourished and had what we call red flag symptoms that were not the typical Crohn's symptoms, and I was concerned about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are two types, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We moved quickly for confirmatory testing."
Crohn's is an autoimmune condition that currently does not have a cure, but there are many different treatment options to control inflammation with the goal of living a totally normal life.
"Her intestines were so inflamed she was not absorbing nutrition. That is why she continued to lose weight," Allison said. "It was a scary diagnosis, but at least we had an answer. The one thing that brings me comfort is that it could have been much worse. She can live a normal life with Crohn's."
Dr. Feinstein discussed different treatment options with Allison and Morgan, and together they chose infusion therapy every six weeks. While her treatment may evolve over time, Morgan will likely need long-term medication to keep her Crohn's disease under control.
After those six months of stress and confusion, Allison felt heard and understood by Dr. Feinstein and his team. "He is so positive, and he made Morgan part of the conversation too, which is really important to me," she said.
"He told her exactly what would happen and what she would feel. I do not think a lot of doctors do that. He never rushes us, and he always makes time for us."
St. Christopher's care team for a Crohn's patient typically includes:
- Social workers to help patients learn to live with chronic illness and navigate school
- Dietitians to help them return to a healthy weight and optimize their nutrition
- IBD Nurse Care Coordinator, Yolanda Williams, RN, to help coordinate all the services
Morgan began her infusions at St. Christopher's and said the nurses were awesome. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she switched to home health visits with an infusion nurse.
Allison appreciated the convenience of Dr. Feinstein's office, just 10 minutes from home at the Yardley Pediatrics location, and the high level of coordinated care with Morgan’s other St. Christopher's doctors. Allison also was grateful for how organized the team was, noting that medication deliveries, appointments, and home infusions were coordinated seamlessly.
"One of the nice things about St. Christopher's is we are a small enough institution that when patients call, the nurses know them, know their name, and know what is going on," Dr. Feinstein said.
"My daughter has her life back," Allison reported. "I cannot even express how grateful I am. She was so sick and in so much pain, and Dr. Feinstein pretty much saved her life. I am so grateful we found St. Christopher's. She is my child, and of course, I want the best, and that is Dr. Feinstein."
Now a thriving college student at Penn State, Morgan has adjusted well to managing her medication and stays connected with her doctor through virtual visits. She has completed her freshman year on the dean’s list and is enjoying all the school has to offer, including sorority life with Alpha Phi. She also continues to maintain healthy eating habits while navigating college dining. Following in her mom's footsteps, she hopes to pursue a career in education and remains focused on her studies.
Looking back on her journey, Morgan offers this advice: "Don't be afraid to get help finding the right care and the right treatments. Dr. Feinstein was very helpful along the way. I can't say enough about him and the care team at St. Chris."