Ashlee Cornelison was far from a disappointment. I host the forums to let people express themselves, free from censorship, but one should know the full and/or true story before posting something negative about a young lady who faced all the medical hardships that Ashlee did, and still persevered. Here's some copy from a feature story in the Uinta County Herald:Local girl beats rare illness, credits ERH surgeon with recovery
BY MIEKE MADRID, HERALD REPORTER
EVANSTON – Ashlee Cornelison knew something was wrong. In May 2004, the Evanston High School senior and Red Devil athlete began to exhibit peculiar medical symptoms – stomach pain, involuntary vomiting, malnutrition and extreme weight loss. After nearly a year of grueling medical tests and hospital stays, doctors and specialists throughout the area couldn’t discover what ailed the young woman.
“They [doctors] thought that my stomach was paralyzed or that I had an eating disorder,” said Cornelison of her initial diagnosis.
In fact, according to Evanston Regional Hospital (ERH) surgeon Dr. Michael O’Connor, the first medical exams and x-rays revealed little about Cornelison’s condition, but like Cornelison, O’Connor knew something had to be causing the unusual set of symptoms.
As the months passed and Cornelison’s condition worsened, O’Connor knew that it was a race against time to find out the true nature of her illness, and by August, Cornelison was placed on a feeding tube through her nose. The lanky, 5-foot 10-inch volleyball and basketball player had dropped nearly 25 pounds.
Finally, in October, an x-ray taken at ERH, revealed the cause of Cornelison’s health problems – an intestinal blockage called cast syndrome. O’Connor explains that the blockage, although rare, typically occurs during adolescence when the body endures significant growth spurts. Blood vessels grow around the intestines and subsequently, like a body cast, cut off food and nutrients from passing. O’Connor knows of only about 400 cases that have been diagnosed since the 1980s, and has himself only witnessed one such case.
“It’s very rare, and it’s truly a matter of luck to see it on an x-ray,” said O’Connor of the disease. “It can be fatal. One-hundred years ago Ashlee wouldn’t be here. Here, here for miracles!”
In November, Cornelison underwent corrective surgery and was even able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, albeit a small amount. So far, she has gradually recuperated and has been able to gain more than 15 pounds, as well as continue her athletic career. On Friday, she played her first basketball game of the season – without a feeding tube.
Yet the road to recovery hasn’t been without its emotional and psychological, as well as physical pitfalls. Cornelison explains the extreme frustration of knowing that she was sick, but not having others believe her.
“I did lose a lot of friends because some people spread rumors about me having bulimia,” Cornelison said reflectively. “It made me go through a depression because no one would ever believe me.”
However, despite these disappointments, Cornelison feels that overcoming the ordeal has had some major benefits.
“It made me closer with my parents and my brother and sister. They were always there for me,” Cornelison said emotionally.
Not surprisingly, Cornelison’s struggle has affected those around her, as well. Her parents, Mickey and June, and her volleyball and basketball coach, Tera Lawlar, have all been inspired by Cornelison’s courageous tenacity.
“She never gave up,” said Cornelison’s mother. “She was not afraid to go out in public even though she had a feeding tube in. She was bound and determined to get over this.”
Similarly, Lawlar was continuously astonished by Cornelison’s determination, as she oftentimes entered the court and was ready to play despite being connected to her nasal medical device.
“Her drive and perseverance are amazing,” stated Lawlar. “Most girls her age would have given up, but her teammates and opponents respected her for giving what she could.” Lawlar added, “She didn’t give up when it would have been so easy to. She made us appreciate more than the wins and losses. She’s an amazing little girl.”
While many are appreciative of her courage and strength, Cornelison is equally grateful for those around her who provided unwavering support and guidance, especially her physician, Dr. O’Connor.
With an enormous smile, Cornelison teasingly points to her doctor and says simply, “He saved my life.”
Now able to focus on her newly restored health, Cornelison plans to continue her athletic career into college where she would like to major in business. Furthermore, Dr. O’Connor is optimistic that Cornelison will now be able to lead a healthy life and that the medical trials and tribulations of 2004 will soon become a distant memory.
“It took a long time to come on, so it will take a long time to fix,” said O’Connor of cast syndrome. “The biggest thing is just believing in your patient. I wish we’d figured it out sooner, but we finally got it.”
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