Routine trip to the dentist saves 11-year-old girl’s life

Hate going to the dentist? Go anyway: It might save your life.

When Journee Woodard arrived for her dentist appointment, the 11-year-old girl was only expecting a routine cleaning.

Instead, the Edmond, Oklahoma, girl’s dental hygienist made an observation that likely saved Journee’s life.

Hygienist Rachel Stroble noticed something was off about the colour of Journee’s eyes.

“She said, ‘You know, Journee’s eyes look yellow,’” Dr. Michael Chandler, Journee’s dentist, told KFOR. “She asked me to take a look, I took a look and said that does look abnormal.”

Dr. Chandler told Journee’s mother about his concerns, and she took Journey to a doctor for blood tests and an ultrasound.

The doctor found a grapefruit-size tumour on her liver and pancreas.

“I didn’t feel like there was anything I could do to help, which is one of the harder things,” said Dr. Chandler. “Journee’s mother has called the office a few times…she’s been very grateful, she’s posted it on social media.”

A YouCaring page titled Journee’s Journey has been chronicling Journee’s fight for her life in the days since her dentist appointment.

Last Friday, Journee underwent surgery.

“…Friday she underwent a 9 hour surgery to remove a grapefruit-size tumor. Surgeons performed ‘Whipple Procedure,’ a major operation that removed part of her pancreas, stomach, gall bladder and part of the intestine,” her family told supporters.

Her parents, neither of whom had paid leave from work, stayed at her bedside in ICU for a week while they awaited test results.

Yesterday, Journee’s family learned that the mass was benign. Her health is steadily improving and she’ll soon be going home.

“Journee made some amazing progress today, although she is still in the hospital she got up out of bed and walked to the window today for her physical therapist, with a little motivation of a hospital Valentine’s party on a lower floor our strong girl with the assistance of her wheelchair as a walker walked to the elevator, went down to another floor and attended that party,” her family wrote on a fundraising page yesterday.

“Although the only thing she was able to enjoy was the arts and crafts and the other children she was smiling from ear to ear. After the party she walked back to her room. She says she is ready to get home to her own bed and her family.“