Dana Scatton was just 17 years old when, last December, she was diagnosed with DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), an inoperable brain tumor with an average survival rate of less than a year. Dana was also 32 weeks pregnant.
She was admitted to HUP on Christmas night for worsening symptoms. Radiation – which was safe for the baby – was started in order to alleviate some of her symptoms. But shortly after New Year’s Day, Dana became more symptomatic.
For the well-being of both her and her baby, her baby was delivered, on January 4. Aries Marie was born and Dana was thrilled: “She is gorgeous, so beautiful.” The nurses on Ravdin 7 (Labor and Delivery) wanted to do something special for this brave young woman.
“Dana had been inpatient on both L&D and Silverstein 7 [HUP’s antepartum unit] since Christmas,” said Diane Cappelletti, BSN, nurse manager of Labor and Delivery. “So many of the staff had grown to know her well and wanted to help her and her family as much as they could during this emotionally charged time.”
Three days after the birth, they held a baby shower for her in the Silverstein 8 conference room, complete with gifts, balloons, and red velvet cake (her favorite!). In preparation for the celebration, “the nurses found a salon that would come and do Dana’s nails,” Cappelletti said. “Staff from L&D, and Silverstein 7 and 8 contributed gifts for both Dana and Aries.”
And to make the shower a complete success, the ICN coordinated a short visit by Aries so that Dana’s family – who had arrived for a visit that day – could take some photos.
Dana was completely surprised and thrilled! “I had no idea – I thought I was just going to see my daughter,” she said, smiling.
On January 10, when Dana turned 18, the nurses on Silverstein 7 gave her another reason to smile: a party to celebrate this milestone – smaller than the shower – but no less heartfelt or appreciated. Nurses from across Women’s Health sang happy birthday and presented her with a special ring as a birthday gift.
“The nurses are so great to me. They go above and beyond,” Dana said. “I wish I could tell them how thankful I am.”
Dana completed her treatment and is now home with her baby and family, said Robyn Hilliard, MSN, nurse manager of Silverstein 7.