‘Medical play is like magic’ for ailing kids

Candy isn’t usually dispensed at hospitals, but at a playroom at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, it’s a sweet tool to help young patients understand what’s going on inside their bodies.

In a game called Blood Soup, red M&M’s are used to represent healthy blood cells. White chocolate chips, standing in for cancer cells, are added, crowding out the good ones. To illustrate in simple terms how chemotherapy works, the white chips are removed, making the blood healthy again.

Brandon Whedbee, 12, who was diagnosed with leukemia in November, said that after learning the game, he made Blood Soup for classmates at school. "It helped them learn what was going on. They thought I had pneumonia," he said.

The Pearl City boy and other children in similar situations spend lots of time in the playroom, located on the pediatric floor at Kapiolani, when they go for their regular treatments. The playroom is set up to give children undergoing care on either an inpatient and outpatient basis a break from the usual sterile hospital environment, with distractions such as a Wii game system, DVDs, toys, puzzles and board games. Teens can Skype with their friends, and an open lanai allows all to get some sun and fresh air.

About five to 10 patients visit the playroom daily. Kids staying at the hospital who can’t come to the playroom may borrow iPads and DVDs for their room.

"When children are hospitalized the experience can be stressful and frightening for them and their families. Medical play is kind of like magic around here," said Ashley Sutherland, one of two "child life specialists" at Kapiolani.

"Our goal is to create an environment that feels normal and safe," she said. "We provide psychological and social care for families. We speak kid."

The specialists, certified through the Child Life Council after undergoing intense clinical internships and passing a national exam, help youngsters and their families cope with health challenges through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities. Many have graduate college degrees with an emphasis on child development, education, psychology or related fields.

At Kapiolani, special dolls and stuffed animals are often used to help children prepare for surgery and other procedures. The toys also serve as a distraction, help with relaxation techniques and even deliver lessons on swallowing pills.

"Young children have misconceptions of being in the hospital. There’s lots of fear associated with hospitals," Sutherland said.

Chris White brings his daughter Carmen, 5, to the hospital once a month for chemotherapy. The family flies in from Kona and tries to make the experience as pleasant as possible. Carmen was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2011 and will need treatment for another year.

"Carmen really looks forward to spending time in the playroom," he said, adding that it helps to maintain some sense of normalcy during her visits.

Brandon demonstrated on a "chemo duck" what it’s like to have a chemotherapy port, a small device inserted in the body to administrater cancer-fighting drugs, and treatment. The stuffed yellow duck, dressed in blue hospital scrubs with a bandanna around its head, has a port on its chest and an immobilizer on its arm. Young patients can use the duck, dolls and other toys to explain their situation to siblings and classmates.

Brandon, who needs a five-year course of treatment, enjoys playing video games in the playroom and visits with Tucker the Therapy Dog. Brandon was also nominated by the hospital to be a part of the 15th Wing’s Pilot for a Day program and got to visit Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. "I put on a flight suit and went on the airfield," he said. "I got to see the controls and what things look like."

He also met a military attack dog that he referred to as "Tucker’s evil twin."

Children with serious illnesses inevitably miss a lot of school, and some end up having to repeat grade levels. Kapiolani’s new education liaison, Phaedra Ranges, coordinates with teachers to help young patients keep up with their lessons. She created a program that allows University of Hawaii education students to earn credits by tutoring kids who are hospitalized for two or more weeks.

Brandon’s mother, Marie Masang, said the education effort and other aspects of the program make it easier to deal with all of the overwhelming emotions and demands of caring for her son.

"When I first found out about Brandon, I went crazy," she said. "But with everything they do for us, I didn’t have to worry. They take care of school and provide peace of mind. I’m able to focus on him. They also refer us to various cancer resources."

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 1 child life specialist for every 5 patients. Kapiolani has 1 for every 50 patients. According to Sutherland, there are only five specialists on the island — the two at Kapiolani, two at Tripler Army Medical Center and one at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center.

"It’s a growing field all over the world," Sutherland said.

She said Kapiolani hopes to offer child life services in its emergency room, surgery center and newborn intensive care unit.

"The emergency room oftentimes is a scary experience for kids — lots of tests, procedures. If we can be there from the start to finish, and kids can understand what’s going on, families can feel supported all the way through," she said.