Meet Evelyn: A girl who emerged stronger after surviving a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection

A week before Christmas in 2023, Evelyn’s family prepared for the holiday by buying the ingredients to make tamales and hurrying to get last-minute gifts. 9-year-old Eveyln looked forward to time off school to do more of what she loves — going to the park to play on the swings, curling up on the couch with her three cats and playing Roblox.

But a week before winter break, Evelyn’s mom, Gladiola, got a call from the school nurse. Evelyn was acting groggy and needed to be picked up.

"I thought she had the flu, so I gave her some Tylenol and kept her home the next day," Gladiola said.

But then, a couple of days later, Evelyn threw up and had no appetite or energy. Gladiola was worried.

“Evelyn was not herself,” she said.

Not just the flu

Gladiola took Evelyn to a clinic, where she was diagnosed with strep throat. But the next morning, Evelyn didn't want to wake up, never mind getting out of bed. Gladiola realized her whole body was warm — and that Evelyn had a lump in her abdomen that hurt when she pressed on it.

Gladiola followed her mother’s intuition and went straight to the Emergency Department at Children’s Health.

“There was no question about where we were going. We always go to Children’s Health,” Gladiola said.

After a nurse felt Evelyn’s lump, she called in a physician who confirmed it was concerning. Unsure of what it was, they ordered an ultrasound and then an X-ray and an MRI.

Evelyn and Gladiola remained in the emergency room late into the night before physicians rushed to admit Evelyn to the hospital after noticing her blood pressure lower, she felt weak and she continued throwing up.

The next day, Evelyn’s flesh-colored lump started to look purple. And there was swelling in her abdomen — all the way to her groin. The symptoms signaled a true emergency. Physicians told Gladiola they needed to take Evelyn into surgery to see what was causing the swelling.

“They told me it was probably necrotizing fasciitis — something I’d never heard of. And that they were hoping it was contained,” Gladiola said.

A rare diagnosis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a very rare type of flesh-eating bacterial disease that can enter the body through a cut, or it can be a complication of strep throat. The condition is known to spread very quickly.

And unfortunately for Evelyn, that is exactly what happened.

For the next two weeks, she stayed in the intensive care unit at Children’s Health and was in and out of surgery to repeatedly remove pockets of infection and dead tissue. After her physicians were able to stop the spread, Evelyn remained in the hospital for monitoring, dressing changes, wound suctioning, intensive antibiotic treatment and skin graft surgery for two more months.

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It was very serious and very scary. I had no choice but to leave my job. The surgeons told me to keep praying because Evelyn was fighting for her life.

— Gladiola, Evelyn's mom

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Gladiola is not sure she’ll ever be able to talk about the experience without tears. But the compassionate care and expertise from Evelyn’s care team eased the intense fear and trauma she experienced.

Healing wounds with many layers of support

Spending the holidays at the hospital wasn’t what Evelyn and Gladiola envisioned for themselves. But team members at Children’s Health decked clinical areas with winter decorations and Gladiola even had the chance to “shop” for a gift for Evelyn from a selection of toys donated by generous community members.

Gladiola also never imagined her daughter would need help walking again.

Bedridden for many weeks, and having undergone several abdominal surgeries, meant she needed support from the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy teams to build up her strength.

Many kind nurses and specially trained Child Life Specialists also helped motivate Evelyn on the toughest days. Child Life specialists, who support kids and their families as they experience the unimaginable, come at no-cost to patient families and rely on philanthropic support. 

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The child life specialist Addie was my favorite. She was so patient with me. And she was always there for me when I felt bad. I want to be a child life specialist or doctor when I grow up so I can help other children who are going through hard things and help them feel at home.

— Evelyn, Children's Health patient

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Evelyn recalls nurse Ashley, who played countless rounds of Uno with her. And she remembers how another nurse, called Mariana, gave her Hello Kitty stickers and figurines, knowing how much she is a fan of the character.

“Some nights, the pain in my belly kept me awake, so the nurses would quietly help me put on a movie so we wouldn’t wake up my mom,” Evelyn said.

Gladiola also got invaluable support from her daughter’s care team, who comforted her when she felt alone.

“Whenever I didn’t have somebody to talk to, the nurses were there for me,” she said.  

Evelyn also took advantage of Seacrest Studios, a multimedia studio where patients can participate in games and programs broadcast across the hospital. This is one of many programs at Children’s Health that helps kids continue to be kids while they’re in the hospital.

Evelyn particularly loved the bingo and lotería games and the days she got to visit the host, Mr. Shawn, who let her explore freely in the live studio.

Feeling grateful and spreading kindness

Wanting to show her gratitude for the care and kindness she’s received, Evelyn made colorful, beaded bracelets for each member of her care team, personalized with their names.

Gladiola also is incredibly grateful for the members of Evelyn’s care team — and for the donors who help make sure every child gets the care they need at Children’s Health.

“The staff makes you feel like more than a regular patient. They make you feel important. And they’ll do whatever they can to help you out,” she said. “And donors make all of what they do possible; they support a great place that makes children not feel scared or frightened about where they are. Donors help make patients feel at home.”

These days, Gladiola and Evelyn are happy to be back home. And they know that Children’s Health and its care team members will be there for them in the future if Evelyn ever needs them again, especially as Children’s Health embarks on building its new Dallas pediatric campus to expand care to kids in North Texas and beyond.

For now, Evelyn is soaking up a return to what she missed the most — going to school, doing her math homework (her favorite subject) and playing Minecraft or soccer with her younger brother, José.

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