12-year-old Karlee was riding her bike with her brother and cousin when a sudden mishap sent her tumbling to the ground, her left wrist bearing the brunt of the fall. The impact was immediate, and the pain was intense. “When I fell, I landed on my left wrist and felt a sharp pain in my arm,” Karlee recalls.
After the accident, a trusted family member recommended they see Dr. John Lovejoy at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. “All of my doctors and nurses at Nemours were really nice and made sure I was comfortable,” Karlee shares. From the moment she arrived, the team at Nemours took a compassionate approach, ensuring that Karlee felt at ease and understood every step of the process.
“Dr. Lovejoy helped me understand what bones I broke and how they planned to fix them,” Karlee says. The detailed breakdown of her injuries and the treatment plan provided her with a sense of reassurance. Karlee was walked through the X-ray procedure, where the technicians explained each image they captured. This transparency continued as she underwent the casting process, with the medical staff explaining the reasons behind each step. “They explained everything as they went,” she adds.
Before her accident, Karlee participated in many sports and school activities. Her eagerness to return to these activities was evident throughout her time at Nemours. The medical team recognized her enthusiasm and provided her with a clear plan for recovery. “Dr. Lovejoy did a very good job of explaining what I needed to do for the fastest recovery,” Karlee says. This included how to care for her cast, the importance of rest and when she could expect to regain motion in her wrist. Two casting processes were necessary for proper healing and each time, the staff made her feel comfortable and informed.
As she prepared to leave the hospital, Karlee was already looking forward to the day when she could get back to her favorite activities. “Since the removal of my second cast, my arm has been restored to its full use,” she shares. “Dr. Lovejoy did caution me to be careful, as it would be six months before my arm was completely healed. But I’ve been cleared to participate sports, and I was even able to waterski during my summer visit to my grandparents in NY!”
“I am going into 8th grade and intend to continue playing on my school teams for soccer, volleyball, and basketball, as well as play recreational soccer for the City of Winter Garden,” she shares. Karlee’s journey has given her insight to help others navigating similar situations. “Make sure to be careful when you have your cast on to keep it dry and follow the directions that the doctors and nurses tell you. Hopefully, your recovery will go as well as mine!” Her advice is simple and sincere, reflecting the knowledge she has gained through her experience at Nemours.
