UI Children's Hospital Kid Captain 2010 - Benny Barnard

Just over two years ago, Tim and Sara
Barnard came face-to-face with a parent's
worst fears. Their first-born, Benny, who'd
been suffering from a nightly fever that everyone
assumed was a virus, was diagnosed
with leukemia. He was so sick that doctors at
University of Iowa Children's Hospital admitted
him for treatment on a Saturday.
Benny spent the next week in the hospital
recovering and beginning chemotherapy. The
Barnard family's nightmare was eased by
the doctors, nurses, and staff of UI Children's
Hospital. "They were amazing," says Sara.
"They made sure we understood everything
that was happening to him." Tim agrees, "The
staff is very relaxed but also very confident
in what they do."
When Benny was healthy enough to be
discharged, Sara and Tim were nervous about
leaving the safe environment of the hospital.
But, staff trained them and other family
members how to care for Benny. "They
really prepared us to bring him home,"
explains Sara.
At first, Benny returned to the hospital
every week for chemotherapy. After a few
months it was every two weeks, and finally
every 28 days. He was declared to be in
remission on Feb. 2, 2009. Now, Benny
returns to the hospital every 28 days for
additional chemotherapy and takes daily
doses of oral medication at home.
Through it all, Benny has faced his
challenges with courage and even child-like
enthusiasm. Sara says, "He adores his
doctors and nurses and asks to play with
the Child Life staff every time he comes to
the hospital." Even at his young age, Benny
understands the importance of his treatments,
even the painful or uncomfortable ones. "He
knows his rules and is so good about all of
this. I know that if it was me I could not be that
brave," says Sara.
The Barnards have to be careful that
Benny isn't exposed to any germs, especially
contagious illnesses like the flu or colds. Last
year, hours after Sara had their second child,
Clayton, Benny came down with H1N1 and
had to be hospitalized. When Sara was in the
hospital in Waterloo with Clayton and Tim was
in Iowa City with Benny, the family still felt
cared for by the UI Children's Hospital staff.
"The nurses made sure to get on the phone
with me and tell me everything was going to
be okay," Sara says.
Adds Tim, "UI Children's Hospital means
everything to us. It is such a nice, easy place.
It just doesn't feel like going to the doctor and
hospital. I'd travel long distances to bring my
child there."
Today five-year-old Benny is, like many
Iowans, a Hawkeye fanatic. Says Sara, "He
enjoyed meeting some of the football players
at Dance Marathon. He tells people he wants
to raise money to find a cure for cancer, and
has participated in his first Relay for Life."
Tim and Sara are grateful their son is
doing so well. "I just want to see him grow up
and be like everybody else," says Tim. But, for
the moment, life with Benny is pretty special.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• UI Children's Hospital
• leukemia
• chemotherapy
• pediatric
• remission