Trusted Pediatric Care: A Family’s Lifelong Journey with PVHMC

On Saturday, January 18, Adrian Lechuga, 13, began experiencing sudden pain in his rib area. The pain briefly subsided but returned Sunday, transforming to a deep pain near his belly button, leaving him unable to walk.

His parents brought him from their home in Chino Hills to the Emergency Department (ED) at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) on Monday morning, where he was diagnosed with appendicitis. During his surgery that evening, it was discovered that his appendix had ruptured. Thankfully, Adrian’s surgery was successful, and he was admitted to the pediatric inpatient care unit for recovery and observation for a few days.

The Lechuga family was confident that he would be taken care of, as they were no strangers to pediatric care at PVHMC.

Nearly 15 years ago, at the age of three months, Adrian’s sister Ariana was brought by ambulance to PVHMC’s ED. She had a life-threatening blood sugar level of eight mg/dL (normal blood sugar levels are between 70 – 150 mg/dL). This was the first of many episodes that would require hospitalization at PVHMC over the next four years of Ariana’s life. She continued to become ill with varying diagnoses and symptoms ranging from RSV, low blood glucose, fever, seizures, turning purple, etc. She was often admitted to our pediatric unit for 1-3 weeks at a time.

During one of Ariana’s admissions, Alicia, Adrian’s mother, recalls suddenly becoming a patient herself, when she went into labor, giving birth to her son Adrian in our maternity unit.

Ariana was eventually referred to and transferred to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and diagnosed with hypopituitarism, a condition where the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, does not produce enough hormones. Now 15 years old, she is healthy and doing well.

“They always took care of us – the nursing staff and service have always been great,” says Alicia, Adrian’s mother.

With their familiarity with the pediatric unit, the family expected to be led to the second-floor pediatric unit. They were instead pleased to be welcomed into our new, expanded pediatric unit for Adrian’s hospital stay, which provides an added level of medical care and comfort, with spacious family rooms, privacy and a recovery playroom.

“It is great to see the hospital evolving and keeping up with the needs of patients and their families,” Alicia says. “We love the added privacy, comfort and the modern technology. Having a spacious family room and less noise relieves a little stress and makes it easier to have immediate family present.”

Since Adrian was always there to support and comfort Ariana during her admissions, his appendicitis gave Ariana the opportunity to keep an eye on her little brother as he recovered.

“I wanted to be at the hospital with him since he had grown up coming to all of my appointments and admissions,” says Ariana.

From Alicia’s own birth at PVHMC to the birth of and medical care for her two children, the family has a long history of trust with the hospital.

“Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center has been a part of some of our biggest life moments,” said Alicia. “From the doctors, nurses to the staff, everyone is kind and compassionate and it makes it an easy choice to keeping coming back.”