A feeling of nervous anticipation filled the emergency department of Children’s National Hospital in Washington on a Saturday afternoon In September 2022, a group comprising of approximately twenty nurses, physicians, and technicians anxiously anticipated the coming of a 14-year-old male.
Known as BB, Akinbiyi Akinwumi had suddenly collapsed at an indoor trampoline park near his home in Prince George’s County, Md. Although he quickly regained consciousness, he had difficulty speaking and complained of chest pain and numbness. Paramedics who arrived at the scene noticed an abnormal elevation on his electrocardiogram and wondered if he might be experiencing a heart attack – an extremely rare occurrence in someone so young.
When BB was rushed into the hospital's trauma bay, he was alert and looking around the room, which was a positive sign according to Gil Wernovsky, the critical care cardiologist who examined him first.
BB's blood pressure and heart rate were reassuringly normal, and Wernovsky considered various potential causes for his collapse: dehydration, arrhythmia (a heart rhythm disturbance), sepsis (a life-threatening infection), myocarditis (a rare but serious inflammation of the heart wall), drug overdose, or even Lyme disease.
A pediatric cardiology fellow began performing an echocardiogram to assess BB's heart function. As an image appeared on the screen, Wernovsky recalled a collective "audible gasp, followed by complete silence."
The image revealed the source of BB's problem – and the months of unexplained fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain that preceded it – in terrifying detail.
The ER team immediately prepared BB and his family for emergency surgery. Wernovsky said, "We had to act quickly. We didn't know if we were just minutes away from... a fatality."
"I just want you to save my son," Shron told the doctors before BB was wheeled into the operating room.
BB's intense diagnosis contrasted with his remarkably swift recovery. Less than four days after arriving at the hospital in critical condition, he was able to go home.
"He recovered so quickly that we barely had time to talk to him," Wernovsky said.
A muscle strain?
In the months leading up to his visit to Children's National, BB, who played basketball, experienced chest pain, arm numbness, and periods of fatigue and sluggishness. However, he rarely mentioned these symptoms to his mother or anyone else. Shron, who is the director of patient access at GW Medical Faculty Associates, described his symptoms as "very sporadic."
When she asked the pediatrician about BB's chest pain, the doctor suggested that he might have pulled a muscle – one of the most common causes of chest pain in children – and recommended taking Tylenol, which seemed to help. Previous visits to doctors had not revealed anything abnormal.
In early August, six weeks before he fainted at the trampoline park, BB went to a gym in Maryland with his older brother, Akintola. While working out, he complained of feeling dizzy, "tingly and generally not right," and briefly lost consciousness. He called his mother.
"I told him to sit down, and I would come pick him up," Shron recalled. When she arrived, she found him sitting on a curb in the parking lot, where he had vomited. BB was dressed in a hoodie, leading Shron to suspect that he might be experiencing heat exhaustion or a migraine accompanied by visual disturbances.. He had experienced occasional headaches for two years, which usually responded to over-the-counter medication.
After BB's operation, his recuperation went smoothly. He was transferred out of the cardiac intensive care unit within a day, and doctors were astonished at how rapidly he was recovering. However, the emotional toll of the ordeal began to catch up with Shron. As the family drove home from the hospital, she experienced a complete breakdown and started sobbing.
The experience had been extremely traumatic for Shron and her family. They had gone from a seemingly ordinary day at the trampoline park to discovering a life-threatening tumor in BB's heart. Shron had to remain strong for her son throughout the entire ordeal, but now that the worst was over, she couldn't hold back her emotions any longer.
Despite the emotional rollercoaster they had been through, Shron and her family were thankful that BB's tumor had been identified and successfully removed. The surgery had saved his life, and they were optimistic that he would fully recover.
Reflecting on the experience, Shron couldn't help but feel grateful for the doctors and medical staff who had taken care of BB. She knew that without their expertise and prompt action, the outcome could have been much worse.
As BB continued to heal, Shron and her family focused on moving forward. They cherished each day they had together and were determined to make the most of their time as a family.
The experience had altered Shron's perspective on life. She realized how delicate it could be and how swiftly things could change. She vowed to appreciate every moment and not take anything for granted.
BB's health scare had served as a wake-up call for the entire family. It reminded them of what truly mattered in life and brought them closer together. They were resolved to seize their second chance and live life to the fullest.
Ultimately, BB's story reminds us of the importance of advocating for our own health and the health of our loved ones. Shron's quick thinking and persistence in seeking medical attention saved her son's life. It is a testament to a mother's love and the strength that can arise from facing adversity head-on.
As for BB, he has now returned to being an active and energetic teenager. He continues to have regular check-ups with his doctors to monitor his heart health, but overall, he is doing well. The experience has left a lasting impact on him, and he plans to pursue a career in medicine to assist others who may be going through similar experiences.
BB's journey is a reminder that life can change in an instant, but with the right support and medical care, there is always hope for a brighter future.
BB's experience serves as a valuable lesson for healthcare professionals to consider a wide range of symptoms when evaluating a patient's condition. In BB's situation, his symptoms were largely disregarded until his collapse, underscoring the significance of thorough and comprehensive assessments.
As BB prepares to enter his junior year of high school, he has made significant strides in his recovery. He has resumed playing basketball, although he now avoids contact sports and strenuous activities to safeguard his heart. Despite his improved health, BB will need to have annual follow-up appointments with a cardiologist for the rest of his life due to his previous open-heart surgery.
Dr. Wernovsky, BB's cardiologist, regards BB's case as a valuable teaching tool for young doctors. It serves as a reminder to always think broadly and consider all possible symptoms when diagnosing and treating patients. By doing so, healthcare professionals can ensure that no potential warning signs are overlooked or dismissed.
BB's mother, Shron, continues to grapple with feelings of guilt for not being more assertive during the months leading up to BB's collapse. She believes that she should have pushed for further investigation and intervention earlier on, potentially averting the need for surgery in such dire circumstances. However, both Dr. Wernovsky and other doctors have reassured her that there was nothing more she could have done.
Despite the enduring remorse, Shron finds comfort in the fact that BB is now present and recovering satisfactorily. She has become extremely watchful in overseeing his well-being and is committed to being there for him at the first indication of any discomfort or worry. BB's journey has taught her the value of advocating for her son's health and taking initiative in seeking medical care when necessary.
In summary, BB's tale serves as a compelling reminder for healthcare professionals and parents alike. It underscores the importance of considering a wide range of symptoms and taking proactive measures to seek medical attention. By doing so, potential health issues can be identified and addressed earlier, potentially averting more severe complications.