This week’s Riley Kid of the Week is Aven Leonard. Aven is 7 years old and from Noblesville, IN.

Aven had recurring strep throat, and while being treated for her strep, she was showing very concerning symptoms: exceptionally high fever (104°), pain, and difficulty walking. After a day or two of pain and difficulty walking, Aven stopped walking completely. Riley was the second ED visited to get answers and help for Aven. Aven’s mom insisted on bloodwork for her, and in the bloodwork they noticed that her CPK levels were high, leading to a diagnosis of Viral Myositis (caused by undetected Flu B), and resulting in Aven being admitted to Riley for 24 hours of IV fluids and care.

Aven’s story is a great example of advocacy for oneself; “Bloodwork was not part of the initial labs planned for Aven, but Riley Hospital listened when I told them having bloodwork done would give me the peace of mind I needed. They asked me what I was looking for in bloodwork and I shared the research I had done regarding her recurring strep and potential complications. Avens bloodwork wound up being the labs which got her the diagnosis, and the care she needed. This serves as a reminder that parents are their kids’ best advocates, and we need to manage and balance trusting our gut and the medical advice we are given. Avens’ condition could have become much worse if Riley had sent us home with a diagnosis of “some sort of virus” the way the first ED she visited did.” -Aven’s Mom