Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Patient Stories
  • Abby: “One of the Few Two-Year-Olds That Knows the Value of Life.
Content

PATIENT STORIES Abby: “One of the Few Two-Year-Olds That Knows the Value of Life.

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Ben and Kyla Avey thought there wasn’t much to their new daughter Abby’s unexplained fussiness. Kyla remembers that “she’d be eating, and then all of a sudden she’d just get mad.” One day after her dad finished feeding her, Kyla noticed something unusual. Kyla looked at Ben and asked, “do her lips look blue?”

That was the moment everything changed. Kyla, a former Sutter nurse, knew there was a pediatric emergency room in downtown Sacramento. Unnerved, Ben and Kyla packed up their family and drove to the ER. Abby was admitted right away and was quickly given x-rays. After careful examination, the attending confirmed the Avey’s worst fears. Abby had coarctation of the aorta and would need open-heart surgery as soon as possible.

Abby crashed in the hospital several times between her arrival in the ER and her surgery less than two days later. If she had been at home or even on her way to the hospital, she would have died. Ben and Kyla were impressed with the care team’s level of communication and dedication. “All of the doctors came in and they all introduced themselves…each one of the doctors went through and told us what their part in the care plan was going to be.” Ben recounts how “there was never a question left unanswered,” and how he believes that “there was no better place for us to be than the Sutter Children’s Center.”

During Abby’s ten-day stay in the hospital, the Avey’s felt Abby and the rest of their family received the highest level of care. Child Life specialists noticed that Abby’s siblings were having a hard time with the visits and would go out of their way to make them more comfortable. Kyla also remembers Abby’s surgeons handing out their personal phone numbers and encouraging her to call anytime.

Since Abby’s surgery, she’s gone from “angry baby” to happy baby. Kyla says that since their experience, “everyday we’re grateful that we have her, and we have Sutter to thank for that.” 

Related Stories

Philanthropy Supports Cancer Complementary Services in Modesto

Bike store owner Brian Zahra describes why he's passionate about donating time and money to the Cancer Complementary Therapies program at MMC.

Serving the Community's Best Interests

Dean Ward says that philanthropic involvement of local community members enable operation of those and other important programs.

Patient's Bariatric Surgery Helps Her Be an Active Mom

Cheri struggled with her weight for years but finally achieved health and happiness after bariatric surgery at the Sutter Weight Management Institute.

Commemorating the Healer’s Touch

Healer’s Touch sculptures at Novato Community Hospital and Sutter Santa Rosa honor extraordinary caregivers.

Your Gifts in Action at PAMF

Unrestricted gifts fund innovative programs across PAMF.

See all Patient Stories

Disclaimer

Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice.

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences