Local family supports Children's Hospital after recent health scare
By Nicole LeBlanc

Seven-year-old Ricky Egan (right) eats a hot dog at the recent kick-off to the summer reading program with his brother, Joey, 5, and friend, Chandler Behringer, of Ashburnham. Egan is nearly fully recovered from the brain surgery he had in January.

A mother's instinct that something was very wrong and high quality medical care means

seven-year-old Ashburnham is still alive and only has slight peripheral vision loss.

Just six months ago uneasy on New Year's Eve, Ashburnham residents Mary and Ricky Egan grew when their son, Richard, lost his balance and could not stand. Mary encouraged him to try standing, and he told her that he was. When she asked him to look her in the eyes, he again thought that he was, but Mary noticed that his eyes were incorrectly focused over her shoulder.

The two concerned parents braced themselves for a trip to the ER, but by the time they had Richard's sneakers on, he seemed fairly normal. Once in the ER parking lot, Richard was the image of a healthy boy.

Ricky suggested taking Richard home where they could monitor him closely, but Mary insisted they take him inside. Trusting the mother's instincts that something might be wrong, an ER physician ordered a CAT scan.

The NStar Walk for Children's Hospital started with an aerobic warm up lead by a number of local characters to help gear the event to the children the hospital helps.

That is when bleeding on the brain was discovered.

"We were shocked," Mary remembers. "The first thing he asked me was if he was going to die. That was the worst part."

Ricky questioned the doctor for answers, but none could be given. They could only focus on being strong for their son. Terrified of needles, the seven-yearold had to endure being hooked up to an IV without an assuring explanation as to why.

An ambulance came to drive them to Children's Hospital in Boston, where the family was ushered straight into ER for some tests to be performed. Although the cause of Richard's bleeding was unknown, the Egans felt they were in good hands.

Children's Hospital Boston is known as one of the largest hospitals in the United States dedicated to children and every year admits approximately 17,000 patients ranging from birth to 21 years old.

"That night, they were 50 percent sure that it was an AVM," Mary said, adding that a MRI, the next night determined it to be true.

Arterial venous malformation (AVM) is a congenital defect, which is an irregular collection - often described as a tangle - of blood vessels in the brain. The defect is present at birth and can cause symptoms ranging from headaches to seizures. Oftentimes, the AVM will cause hemorrhaging, as in the case of Richard. If not treated, a patient can die.

Immediately after the diagnosis, a nurse printed a packet of information for Ricky and Mary to help them better understand their son's condition.

"We didn't even have to ask," Mary said. "They do everything they can to make it as bearable as they can. They're so unbelievable."

On January 19, a few weeks after the diagnosis, Dr. Edward Ahn and Dr. Edward Smith performed a seven-hour brain surgery on the young boy.

An anxious family nervously waited for the outcome, hoping for a happy ending to the nightmare that had begun on New Years Eve. Mary said that even Ricky's first grade teacher at John R. Briggs Elementary School was waiting for the phone call after the surgery.

When the surgery was finished, the Egans were told that their son's brain surgery had been boring. Everything had gone well.

Mary said her son has lost some peripheral vision in his left eye, but because of his age doctor's are unsure whether he might regain it over time. She said the loss isn't enough to prevent him from doing any activities but it is something that requires adjustments.

The hospital's care didn't end after the surgery, Mary said. They were introduced to Carepages, a Web site designed to help family and friends remain informed of a child's recovery. That is where they found out about the Nstar Walk for Children's Hospital Boston.

The fifth annual walk was held on Sunday, June 11, at the Boston's Hatch Shell. It was a celebration of life and of giving back. For the Egan family of Ashburnham, walking to raise money for Children's Hospital Boston was personal.

"We just wanted to give something back," Mary said. "They saved him."

The NStar walk for Children's Hospital Boston is more than a walk to raise money, Mary said. There are activities for the entire family, including clowns, magicians, and live music. And starting at the Hatch Shell in Boston, the location couldn't be more beautiful, she said.

"The walk is a great day for everyone," said Amy Sweeney, public relations manager for the Children's Hospital Trust. "It's simple to do but means a lot to the hospital."

Sweeney said that the day is inspiring, because it's incredible to see the strength of those who have survived traumatic situations. The money raised goes to patient care, research, and community health issues. Because Children's Hospital is one of the largest care providers for children without health care, according to Sweeney, the walk is an important way for current or former patients to give to other people in need.

Mary, Richard, and Joey, whose five-years-old, chose to walk two miles during the NStar walk, while Ricky walked for seven miles.

For the family, there was no question about how much they wanted to give back. If not for the dedication and professionalism of the Children's Hospital physicians, one little pair of sneakers would have been empty, Mary said.

"I would do anything for Children's!" Mary said. "I love them."