The first time Isabella Shugarman remembers getting a bad stomachache, she was 8 years old, in third grade at Myford Elementary School in Irvine. Having just had the flu, she – and her parents, Annie and Jeff – assumed it would go away. But it didn't – it got worse.
“It was a deep pain,” says the girl, now 12, trying to describe what it felt like. In school, she says, “I couldn't focus.”
Isabella Shugarman, 12, suffered a debilitating case of acid reflux for years, that was finally cured by surgery. Now she's an advocate for healthy eating.
ROD VEAL, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ISABELLA SHUGARMAN
Age: 12
Residence: Irvine
Favorite charity: Irvine Animal Care Center, 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine
How you can help:
Come to the Kids Health Fair, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m., at Myford Elementary School, 3181 Trevino Drive, Irvine
“She was in the health office all the time,” recalls the principal of Myford Elementary School, Amy Fedderly. “It was just routine for Isabella to be in there.”
“Sometimes I tried to push through,” says Isabella, “but the pain was overwhelming.”
Her mother, Annie, a pediatric physician's assistant, makes sure that the family eats very good food: fresh fruit and vegetables, hummus and organic snacks fill their kitchen. Although the entire family loves chocolate (Isabella has two younger brothers, Michael and Lucas), they hardly overdo it – eating a piece of organic chocolate for dessert once in a while.
So the stomach pain was puzzling. Finally, her parents took her to see a family friend, Dr. Barry Steinmetz at Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach, who happens to be a pediatric gastroenterologist.
He suspected the girl might have acid reflux – a condition in which acid backs up into the esophagus, causing constant heartburn. Just to be sure, he recommended that Isabella undergo an endoscopic exam to measure the acid levels. The exam confirmed it: Isabella suffered from a severe case of acid reflux (known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD). Steinmetz prescribed medication.
Isabella went on a strict GERD diet of no onions, no fried food, no orange juice, tomatoes (which means no pizza) and – and this was possibly the worst – no chocolate. “I had to call up before a birthday party to see what was going to be served. I'd say, ‘Should I bring my own food?'” explains Isabella.
At times, her condition improved. But in fifth grade, it got much worse. Pale and losing weight, Isabella missed school between Thanksgiving and December of 2011, and struggled to keep up with class work from home.
Well-meaning friends offered not-so-helpful advice: Maybe Isabella was too emotional? Was she just allergic to gluten? Could it be simply lactose intolerance?
“Finally, I had to say, no, please don't talk to me about it,” says Annie, Isabella's mom.
People closest to the girl supported her through the ordeal. Her family of course, and a caring school nurse – but also the family dog, Coco, was a constant companion. “When I was sick, she would be with me, and it was very soothing to pet her,” says Isabella.
Best friend Abby, too, was a comfort. “She wanted me to eat,” says Isabella, tears welling in her eyes, remembering the care of her pal during that hard time. Everyone wanted Isabella to drink cans of Ensure – fortified drinks that come in several flavors – so that she'd gain weight.
But “they're disgusting,” says Isabella in typical 12-year-old straight talk. Yet Abby coaxed her into drinking “one more sip, then one more sip.”
This was a terrible time for Isabella and her family, but there was a curious side effect: Isabella became acutely aware of what people around her were eating. She saw kids at school eating junk food. And she noticed that food offered to kids was hardly ever healthy or even appetizing – and that kids threw a lot of this food in the trash.
Finally Annie and Jeff faced the fact that the medication and diet were not working for their daughter. “Things were not getting better,” says Jeff. “She was missing too much school, and we could not continue to see her suffer.”
Surgery was the only option left, and even that was not guaranteed to cure the pain. It entails tightening the opening between the stomach and the esophagus to prevent the acid from building up. Isabella, though frightened of it, agreed. So in December 2011, she was admitted to the hospital and the surgery was performed.
In the days after, she was eager to see what she could now eat. “If you think school food is bad, you should see hospital food!” Isabella says. Her grandmother, the champion cook of the family, made broth and soft food that Isabella loved, and the girl began to eat and grew stronger.
“When she went back to school, the teachers said she was a different kid; there was color in her face and her smile is different,” says Annie.
This different girl had a whole new, public-health kind of perspective. “I see what some kids eat every day, and I feel so bad. It's not good for their bodies.” And Isabella is also quick to notice kids who are sick. “I have a special spot in my heart for kids with stomach pain,” she says.
Her bat mitzvah – the Jewish religious ceremony celebrating that a 12-year-old girl is now a responsible adult in the community – is now looming. The tradition requires that the girl complete a service project that will benefit others and has personal relevance.
Isabella had a couple of ideas, but this one stuck: A health fair for kids where they could learn the value of eating healthy foods.
Though she is now in seventh grade, the perfect setting had to be Myford Elementary School, where she had been so sick and where she emerged back into health. Principal Fedderly was enthusiastic.
The date was set – Oct. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Isabella had to cold-call vendors. “I was nervous with the first few calls,” she says, but when the response was overwhelmingly positive, her confidence grew. So far, the Bite Me food truck has agreed to come to the event, as well as fitness groups, orthodontists, a health food store, the fire department, Target and many other vendors. And more are signing up to participate every day.
It's become a huge organizational challenge that the new Isabella is totally on top of. “It's going to be fun!” she says.
This health fair will be aimed at kids, with lots of information about eating well and exercising, and fueled by the enthusiasm of a now-well girl – who can now eat her favorite melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake! – and who wants to share the benefits of good health with as many kids as she can.
“It takes a lot of time and effort to create this health fair – to stay on top of all the planning and managing. I'm just proud of Isabella all the way around. " –Jeff Shugarman,father
Contact the writer: 714-796-6702 or ngregory@ocregister.com[1]
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