March 2026 – Questions flooded Jessica’s mind as she wondered what would come next. She came to La Rabida in November following a medical emergency caused by a paraduodenal hernia, a rare, congenital hernia in the small intestine. This life-threatening condition led to an abdominal infection and required Jessica to spend months in the hospital while her intestines healed and her body recovered.
For more than xxx weeks, the 13-year-old was unable to eat by mouth or even through a feeding tube. Jessica’s care team, led by Clinical Pediatric Dietitian Manager Robyn Felten, knew exactly how to help and was ready to provide the answers and care that Jessica and her family needed.
They created a plan to ensure Jessica had enough nourishment to not only meet her daily functional needs but also support healing with additional proteins, vitamins, and minerals. She underwent procedures to put in a jejunostomy tube, or a “J-Tube,” to help nutritional feedings bypass the affected part of her intestines. To increase fluid and other essential nutrient intake, Jessica was also placed on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), a method of delivering these nutrients directly into the bloodstream. When a patient’s journey begins on our inpatient unit, we work to ensure their hospital stay is a comforting experience. For Jessica, the inability to enjoy a meal made the days and weeks difficult. During her stay, Child Life Specialist Megan C. sought resources and activities to create a comfortable environment for Jessica and her family.
Designs of dresses, denim outfits, and imaginative drawings are scattered throughout Jessica’s cabin. Knitted hats and scarves created by hand are all uniquely designed by Jessica’s creative mind.
“I just really enjoy drawing and creating with my hands, says Jessica. “It just helps me relax, and I forget about the medical things I have going on right now.”
Jessica’s mom, Emma, says there have been some stressful times because of her daughter’s condition, but La Rabida’s family-oriented approach has helped build trust with Jessica’s care team, and she believes it’s made the difference in her healing.
“It’s just beautiful to see just how much she’s supported, and how much everyone cares about her,” says Emma. “From her health and schooling, to graduating, and helping her express herself creatively. As a parent, it means a lot to see your child smile even though she’s been through a lot.”
It took several weeks for her body to absorb nutrients through the J-tube and TPN feeding regimen. Jessica’s strength showed up in her lab results. She went on to have a procedure to remove the TPN completely.
“She came back post-surgery. When I walked in and saw her eating a burger, having dinner with her mom … it made me so happy,” says Megan. “That was her goal, that’s all she wanted! This just proves how Jessica is determined and fearless. It may seem small, but that’s what matters to us all – the little things. That’s what makes us who we are.”
Jessica is now able to eat without any feeding support and is slowly returning to a full, healthy diet.
See below for pictures of Jessica’s fashion designs!
