Dr. Murthy’s encouraging words stuck with Isaac as he recovered from surgery.
My son Isaac is a patient of Dr. Ananth Murthy. One year ago, on Oct. 21, Isaac, at age 6, had a suspicious looking birthmark removed from his upper right thigh. This birthmark had doubled in size, began to turn dark brown and feel very rough, like sandpaper. Cancer, unfortunately runs in my family. My father passed away of cancer; my mother has leukemia, and my sister has breast cancer. So, naturally, I was very concerned about the look and feel of his growing birthmark.
This was our first time our family had ever been to your hospital. We had many consultations leading up to the surgery. The hospital was always clean, brightly decorated and the staff was absolutely amazing. Everyone treated us so kind, and Dr. Murthy was so helpful and informative.
Isaac had over 20 stitches in his leg for an 2-1/2 inch incision. He was placed on walking restriction for 8 long weeks, which seemed like the longest time in Isaac’s life, because he’s a very sporty little boy. Rather than being inside playing video games, Isaac loves to play outside until dark, riding his bicycle, scooter, dirt bike, climbing trees, and playing football, basketball and fishing. So, sitting with his leg propped up, no sports, recess or gym, was very hard on him.
Isaac received a dirt bike for his 5th birthday, loves the sport and wants to be a professional rider when he grows up.
After the surgery, Isaac was so afraid that he wouldn’t be able to ride, or, if he fell off his bike, his scar would split open again. He was so concerned about his leg healing.
Issac’s surgical site.
At one of Isaac’s follow up appointments, he asked Dr. Murthy if he would ever be able to ride his dirt bike again. That day, my son was wearing his favorite Superman shirt with an attached Superman cape. Dr. Murthy looked at his shirt and replied, “Isaac, you will heal and be as strong and as fast Superman!”
Isaac also wore his Superman apparel the day of surgery.
Well, those words stuck with Isaac. After Dr. Murthy released him from all restrictions, Isaac began training on his dirt bike weekly. He won his very first, 1st place trophy in January 2017, just 3 months after leg surgery. Isaac raced so well, he gained professional sponsors and was ranked No. 1 in the state.
Isaac has won many awards, as well as every 50-cc shaft drive division race.
Isaac has been featured in many newspapers–Alliance Review, Canton Repository and about a dozen others in Ohio–and a professional motocross magazine, MotoPlayground.
Also, Ohio Representative Christina M. Hagan and Ohio House Speaker Clifford A. Rosenberger signed an award acknowledging Isaac’s motocross accomplishments for 2017.
The words Dr. Murthy spoke–“Isaac, you will heal and be as strong and as fast Superman”–really stuck with him. Isaac truly was “as fast as Superman” this year on the motocross track! He bounced back from that leg surgery better than ever.
Isaac’s incision has healed wonderfully in appearance, too. I want to thank Akron Children’s Hospital and especially Dr. Murthy and his caring and compassionate staff. I trusted this hospital with my son’s life, and I highly recommend everyone to Akron Children’s Hospital! It is so hard to believe that one year has gone by so fast and he has healed so incredibly well!
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