Teen Athlete's Normal Life Interrupted by Severe Aplastic Anemia and Lengthy Treatment
“You must go to Children’s Hospital now.”
Ninth grader Patrick McLaughlin was surprised, but followed his mom’s lead, who calmly drove to the Emergency Department while disguising her fear and confusion.
Earlier that week, while Ellie was on a business trip, her elder son, Liam, called. “Mom, Paddy’s still sleeping after early dismissal.” It was 8:30pm. At that moment, she knew that she needed to take him to the doctor. She flew home as soon as she could, picked Patrick up at track and field workout, and dashed to the pediatrician’s office.