"Care Team Katie"

Posted May 7, 2010

TO SEE KATIE HAMLIN TODAY is to meet a beautiful teenage girl with a vibrant smile, charm and a lot of energy. But when the doctors at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham first met her last June, it was a different picture entirely.

Katie suddenly began to feel sick just after completing her sophomore year of high school in Daphne, Ala. To her parents’ shock, her condition grew worse so rapidly soon she could hardly breathe, and local doctors decided to send her by jet to Children’s Hospital.

“I had serious misgivings about our ability to get Katie to Birmingham alive. But the Critical Care Transport Team at Children’s Hopspital did a phenomenal job on that eventful trip that lasted almost five hours,” says Dr. Priya Prabhakaran, the critical-care physician who first learned that Katie was on her way. “She had been going downhill fast, and her doctors in Mobile were concerned she might end up needing ECMO (The acronym for a therapy called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation).”

Katie was admitted the night of June 13. By the next morning, the decision had been made to place her on ECMO which gives patients oxygen using an artificial lung. Children’s is the only hospital in Alabama that has this life-saving technology.

Dr. Keith E. Georgeson, chief of pediatric surgery at Children’s, says he feared for her life. “To be honest, I think Katie is in the top two survivors I’ve ever seen, in terms of a person I thought had very little chance to survive,” says Dr. Georgeson. “It looked incredibly dire.”

An Uncertain Prognosis

Now Katie’s breathing was under control, but she was in a coma with an uncertain prognosis. Yet she had several things in her favor—beginning with the excellent care she was receiving at Children’s. “It’s a special place,” says her father, Bob Hamlin. “People here truly care about what they’re doing. They are so thoughtful, so helpful, so spiritual.”

She also benefited from the dedicated love and efforts of her parents, who moved to Birmingham for her entire hospital stay and were at her bedside daily. The fact that she was in strong health prior to this—a great soccer player, she was named MVP of her team the past year—was also in her favor. And then there was the support she received from the community.

In fact, in what ultimately became seven months spent at Children’s, Katie became a legend. Strangers would come to visit and bring meals to her parents. Two little girls made “Christmas Cookies for Katie” and decorated themselves as a fundraiser for Katie.

These acts of kindness reached far beyond the hospital. Outside the home Bob and Susie were renting, Susie was walking the dog one day when a neighbor engaged her in conversation. After learning of what the family was going through, the woman spontaneously invited Susie and Bob to her home for Thanksgiving, and they’ve remained friends ever since.

“You hear all these bad things on the news, but you don’t hear about how many good people are still out in the world,” Bob reflects.

A Surprise Turnaround

After months in which Katie seemed to stagnate, something happened: she woke up from the coma, began to make baby steps toward recovery and then—seemingly overnight—the baby steps turned into great strides. “It was like you couldn’t hold her back,” says Dr. Prabhakaran says.

She was weaned off of ECMO, and with the help of physicians and physical and occupational therapists—part of what Bob calls “Care Team Katie”—she was strong enough to be discharged.

As that time approached, Dr. Georgeson stopped by to check in. “I’ll never forget that day,” he says. “I couldn’t believe after all she had been through, she was doing so well. I had tears well up in my eyes.”

To this day, no one really knows what triggered Katie’s illness. That makes it all the more miraculous that Children’s was able to bring her back, without a known protocol—though it was ECMO that gave them the time they desperately needed to figure out how to treat Katie. “That was what saved her life,” Bob says. “Without it she wouldn’t be here today.”

A Hero’s Welcome

Upon her return to Daphne she received a hero’s welcome, with family, friends and others lining the streets to wave and shout congratulations. It was a moving homecoming and a wonderful beginning for the Hamlins to begin the process of resuming their lives.

It is an ongoing journey. Neurological damage caused by the strokes left Katie with short-term memory problems and impaired social judgment. Academically she is now at the level of a young child—though her parents are working diligently to help her recover so much of what she’s lost.

However, Katie is back to practicing with her soccer team as best she can, attending art classes, riding her bicycle and shooting hoops with her dad. And when she enters a room, her contagious smile reminds everyone she’s still essentially the same Katie.

Bob says his faith has grown leaps and bounds throughout this experience. And while her parents and doctors hope she will continue to improve, at the end of the day, the Hamlins just feel blessed that she is back at home—having witnessed Katie come back, literally, from the verge of death.

“If she never fully regains some of these skills, that’s okay,” Bob says. “Because I have my daughter.”

Children’s Hospital of Alabama will be the primary beneficiary for the 2010 Regions Charity Classic being held May 12-16 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, visit www.regionscharityclassic.com.

comments (26)

Katie is proof that God is still in the "miracle" business. Katie is very courageous and blessed to have a supportive family. I pray that she continues to improve both mentally and physically and can attain the goals that she has for herself. It is still amazing to see what kindness there is when we need it most and the Hamlins, I'm sure, are thankful for each and everyone who stepped up in their time of need. Just remember who your source of strength is in time of need and to pass along the blessings that your family has received to others in need.

Judy Bates

What a wonderful story. I have a friend that experienced the spiritual love and caring of this hospital and truly miracles have happened there and there is a power like no other that goes on each and everyday there. I pray for Katie and for the family. So good to know that Regions was a part of this story.

lynne etheridge

What a MIGHTY GOD we serve, and to see his hand on Katie and her family through such a crisis.

Carol Mills

We almost lost our daughter to an AVM rupture in her brain when she was 7 years old. She underwent two brain surgeries and was in a coma for several months. She was not expected to live. However, with the grace of God and the support of family, friends and the wonderful staff at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida she survived and is now 21 years old. Katie's story brought back so many memories for me. I am so happy that she is doing well and making progess. Keep your faith and know that I am praying for Katie and you all.

Julie Harriman

We should always be mindful that our children are a precious gift from God and how blessed we are to have them in our lives.We may never understand why bad things happen, but even in the bad times we always have something to be thankful for. I am so thankful that Katie is back home with her family and friends.

Carol Durham

This is an inspiring story for all. It's a good reminder that you need to keep faith in God even in the bad times and believe in miracles. I believe that everyone that helped the Hamlin's, in any shape or size, are Angels. And I pray that everyone in this world, in a time of need, be blessed with Angels like these. I pray that Katie has a speedy and full recovery, she deserves it.

Afshan Haqqi

I enjoyed reading your story. I, too, almost died after having an aneursym in my carotid artery 3 yrs ago. I have lost a child at 7 months old due to heart surgery and don't wish this pain on anyone. I am so glad to know we serve a God who is still in control. We don't always understand why things happen, but we do know they happen for a reason. Like you, my faith has grown leaps and bounds thru these difficult times in my life and who knows, that may just be the reason they happened. By His Grace we are here! May God continue to bless you and your family as he has mine!

Regina Sanderson (Ripley, MS Branch)

my prayers go out to this family and katie. my heart hurts and eyes with tears hearing this story.

carmita ikeard

Sure puts the day-to-day grind of life into perspective.

dennis

At my previous place of employment in Mobile, AL, we had a prayer team. Katie and her family were on our weekly (and sometimes daily) prayer list. I found myself completely overwhelmed with Katie's story and each week I prayed harder and harder. I've been gone from that job for over 3 months and never knew the outcome of Katie's battle....until I found this video and article about her today! What an amazing story of healing and overcoming through the power of prayer and how real His miracles are! Kudos to the Children's Hospital staff. Katie and the Hamlin family, you inspire me!

Brandi Miller

What a beautiful, remarkable story. It is so refreshing and invigorating to read stories such as these.

Gwen Cole

With God, all things are possible! Katie's story also brings back memories of when we almost lost our daughter to leukemia when she was 15 months old. She underwent 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, and endured many complications from the chemo. But God had others plans for her, and today she is a beautiful, healthy 15-year-old miracle. Continue to share your story with everyone possible. It's our stories that help to encourage others. May God continue to bless this family.

Charles Strickland.

God is amazing!!!! I am so thankful to see that Katie is making great strides in her recovery. I pray that she continues to improve everyday.

Holly Hutto

All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are the called according to his purpose. To think that maybe a worser thing was on its way to Katie and doing this pulled her out of harms way. Be much encouraged to the family and the friends. Keep looking to the hill for which cometh your help, your help comes from God; who is able to restore and resurrect.

Kathy Vallet-Crumbley

My brother was diagnosed in 2001 with Leukemia and after relapsing 3 times I had the chance to donate my bone marrow at Duke University's Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was amazing the 360 he did after the procedure. But in 2007 he suffered some major set backs and due to the strokes and coma, he has had some major physical, social and emotional set backs. But after saying all that I've always believed that God gave this situation to my family for a reason, and that reason being that we could handle this situation and from reading the story Katie's family sounds just like mine. And I wish the best for Katie's recovery and God Bless.

Colette Ellis

God truly is great. My brother had a terrible four wheeler accident a few years ago and the doctors told us he would spend the rest of is life in a nursing home. Today he is as normal as ever and he drives a truck everyday. With God anything is possible. My brothers brain was bleeding and they told us he would have permanent brain damage so keep your faith God can heal!!!

Rhonda Huffman

What a moving story! God is SO good, He is the reason she is still here. I just want to give her a BIG hug! God Bless the Hamlins!

Tiffany Crain

What a touching story. My prayers go out to Katie and her family.

Sherry Husidic

This is such an inspiring story. This is confirmation that with GOD all things are possible. My prayers go out to Katie and her family.

Mia

That is a blessing, our GOD is a AWESOME GOD.

Marcia Turner

Wow! What an amazing miracle. I think one of the parts that touched me the most was when the neighbor, who didn't even know the Hamlin's, invited them to Thanksgiving dinner. Proof that there are still good-hearted people in this world. I pray that God will use me to be a blessing in someone's time of need. Thanks for the great reminder of Faith, Friendship, and Family.

Julie Johnson

All I can say is "Because he (Jesus) lives, I can face tomorrow. Be blessed Hamlin family.

TRENA LAFRANCE

God is not good just sometime, he is good ALL THE TIME! A year ago I went through a horrible crisis with my sister so I can hear your heart beat, but God never fails. Your family is so blessed and so is ours.

Marie Stanfield

I am glad that Katie received this second chance at life.

A. Miller

This story is so touching...To have an opportunity to have your daughter back...what a blessing...My sister lost her 17 year old son after a serious accident...she always said that if he came out of this coma...it would not matter if he was the same or not as long as she had her son....it was not in God's plan for her...I am so glad it was for you.

Barbara Doles

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ***Your family and your story have been such a blessing to me. All the glory goes to the amazing God we serve!!***

Lori Holbert, Little Rock, AR