Learning Patience with Concussion Recovery

Recovering from Two Concussions in One 12 months Teaches Teen Endurance and Resilience

When Kyle and Kristin Gurley relocated from Sunnyvale through the pandemic, they needed a extra laid-back way of life and a neighborhood with the best requirements of medical care. Their determination to decide on Monterey was primarily based, partly, on the care that Stanford Drugs Youngsters’s Well being might present to their daughter, Mia, particularly at its native pediatric clinic.

Seems, they are saying, their determination was sensible. “Youngsters can be children; issues occur,” explains Kristin—particularly, it appears, to her athletic daughter, who performs volleyball, basketball, and flag soccer and runs monitor.

Prior to now yr, concussions have despatched the 14-year-old eighth grader to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Pediatrics – Monterey twice. Each freak accidents occurred in school. The primary was final March when Mia was hit on the top with a tennis racket whereas horsing round with a good friend. In March 2025, she was struck by an errant basketball whereas learning on the gymnasium sidelines.

“She’s accident susceptible,” says Kristin, a well being care senior program supervisor. “My associates joke that we want helmets and bubble wrap, however we dwell our life to the fullest. I’m grateful that we now have Stanford Drugs Youngsters’s Well being Pediatrics – Monterey to look after her.”

Mother, who has had a number of concussions herself, understood the urgency and referred to as her husband, a professor turned patent agent, instantly following notification from Mia’s faculty. The couple contacted the pediatric clinic and received an appointment that day. Mockingly, Mia had had her annual bodily that morning together with her pediatrician, Sara Liu, MD.

A sports activities drugs physician on employees

“After I referred to as the clinic, the receptionist and nurse match us in to be seen instantly with out hesitation,” Kristin explains. Identical to her go to to the clinic for final yr’s concussion, Mia would have a group of pediatricians and a head trauma skilled offering her care.

She was seen by Cynthia Lee, MD, a pediatrician on the clinic who was obtainable when the household arrived. After Mia went via Stanford’s concussion protocol, her analysis was confirmed. As a result of this was her second concussion in a yr, she was additionally seen by Kirk Mulgrew, MD, who has board certifications in each pediatrics and sports activities drugs and was a group physician for the Washington Huskies soccer group. He was aware of Mia’s concussion historical past, having examined her final yr.

“What I normally do if we suspect a concussion is the usual concussion analysis utilizing the Sport Concussion Evaluation Device, which features a historical past and a questionnaire,” notes Dr. Mulgrew. Stanford Drugs Youngsters’s Well being has an in depth Concussion Program, and the analysis contains questions on orientation, focus, and stability, in addition to a neurological examination. Signs are rated on a scale.

Dr. Mulgrew defined to the household {that a} concussion is a jolt or twist to the top that irritates the mind and might trigger microscopic metabolic and blood-flow adjustments. He described a therapy plan, which incorporates relaxation, satisfactory sleep, a nutritious diet, and a return to highschool half-days. Mia was already aware of this, after recovering from final yr’s tennis racket accident.

“Mia is doing effectively within the restoration course of. She’s on Section 2 of restoration, which incorporates gentle cardio train and strolling at a brisk tempo. She will be current on the monitor with associates however not take part,” says Dr. Mulgrew. Restoration, he added, begins with Section 1, the resting step. Section 6, the ultimate step, is a return to full contact sports activities.

“That’s the fantastic thing about having docs like that right here,” says Kristin. “It was seamless and never lots of ready. It’s superb to have that form of care.”

Serving to teen via illness and well being

Mia, a considerate and poised younger teen, has been studying the artwork of persistence and acceptance, as she heals sitting on the sidelines as soon as once more, based on her mother. Mia can be grateful for her care and is studying to plant succulents within the yard as she awaits clearance to play sports activities. 

“Dr. Liu helps me via issues in illness and in well being,” says Mia. “I’m in a position to open up to her about what’s happening in my life and might work issues out. I’ve a lot—due to Stanford Drugs Youngsters’s Well being for the distinctive care and their capability to make me really feel snug and at residence.”

Mia’s largest concern, her mother explains, is worry that she gained’t sustain academically. However every part goes effectively, and he or she’s getting stronger and higher each day. “She’s studying a lesson in giving herself grace and self-acceptance. It’s laborious, and he or she’s annoyed that she will be able to’t run and play. However it’s a development expertise that’s educating her to seek out pleasure in with the ability to take a break,” says Kristin.

“What’s most tough on Mia is the lack to focus or assume deeply for lengthy durations of time,” says her father. “Cognitive duties at school are tougher with a concussion, particularly math or international language, so simply being at school is a battle. This has improved however is actually laborious for a child who has nice grades and is used to being engaged and taking part all day lengthy.” 

Dr. Liu provides that hardships like these construct emotional energy and resilience. “Sufferers study so much from these experiences. They see how they will thrive regardless of setbacks, that are all a part of life. Restoration offers them confidence by working via laborious medical experiences. Resilience is such a super-important lesson.”

A mother of three women, Dr. Liu particularly enjoys caring for teenagers and attending to know the ups and downs of their lives, she says. “Our philosophy of care right here is attending to know the complete and holistic image of the kid and their life at residence and faculty.”

Imparting abilities for resilience, confidence

“Teenagers have lovely messy lives and take care of a lot right this moment. I hope I’m serving to them thrive via the teenager years,” Dr. Liu provides. “Certainly one of my objectives is to assist impart resilience, energy, confidence, and grit that they’ll want in life. I’m fortunate to be part of that.”

The pediatrics group on the Monterey location shares this purpose, Drs. Liu and Mulgrew clarify. All eight suppliers are dedicated to delivering good affected person experiences and revel in collaborating on instances like Mia’s.

“All of us work effectively collectively,” says Dr. Mulgrew. “I’ve labored in different practices the place we didn’t have the identical cohesion. All of us love one another; we’re like household. The group feels snug collaborating.

“Anytime we now have a query or want, a second set of eyes on a affected person, any of us can be found. We’re all studying from one another, sharing our data, and dealing to offer the very best affected person expertise.”

Be taught extra concerning the Monterey location, and Stanford’s Concussion Program.