Before he was a patient at St. Jude, Rashawn Hendrix experienced something far too common among patients with sickle cell disease: pain not taken seriously. “At the hospitals I used to go to, it’s like they would think I’m not really sick,” said Hendrix, who has experienced regular sickle cell pain crises. “I would get a longer wait time when I was sick. Even though I was there earlier, others would go through [the emergency room] before me.”
“It seems like [doctors and nurses] didn’t take me seriously when I was having pain,” Rashawn continued. “I always felt left out because they were treating other people better than me.”
Since coming to St. Jude, Hendrix’s situation has changed. The physicians and nurses not only take his disease seriously but also care about him as a person.
“At St. Jude, they always give me a lot of good positivity and vibes,” Hendrix explained. “They care, and they smile.”
In previous experiences, Hendrix was challenged to prove the extent to which his illness affected him. At St. Jude, he has a care team that is trained to help patients with sickle cell disease. They understand the diseases’ nuances and major manifestations. When he is experiencing a pain crisis, they know how to care for him. They also know each patient is more than their disease.
“They talk to me — and listen — and all that kind of stuff,” Hendrix said.
In charge of that care team is Tarun Aurora, MD, a clinical fellow who is also currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation degree at the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to better design strong and effective clinical trials for sickle cell disease. That’s not why Hendrix likes him so much, however. He appreciates that they are truly a part of each other’s lives.
“Dr. Aurora really cares about me because of all that he’s doing for me,” Hendrix said. The two have grown close over the years, as part of each other’s lives as more than just patient and doctor — they are friends. Aurora has shared intimate moments with the Hendrix family, too. “When his father died, he came to see me, and we talked about it.”
Hendrix continues as a St. Jude patient, cared for as both patient and person by Aurora and the Hematology team. For any other clinicians caring for patients with sickle cell or other diseases, Hendrix has his own advice, beyond understanding treatments, based on the holistic care from his St. Jude team.
“They should smile, and show they care,” he said. “Talk to us, listen to us. My doctor, Dr. Aurora, made me really feel that he has a lot of love and respect for me. They should be training people for that, too.”
Visit the Together by St. Jude™ online resource to find information and support for families facing childhood cancer and other illnesses.
More patient stories
-
Research may help Camille take her first steps
Research conducted by the Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics may help patients like Camille, who has type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, gain the ability to walk.
-
Insights Learned Through Cancer Experience Now Help Others
St. Jude survivor Tristan Elsener has survived multiple bouts of cancer. He and his family have gained insights that can help others. Learn about the Caregivers Share podcast.
-
Participating in clinical trials to help cure the next person
Patients like Corey Luellen have benefitted from gene editing for sickle cell disease. Luellen participated in a clinical trial for the treatment because he wanted to help others.
-
Patient finds support, help and hope for Friedrich’s ataxia
Taylor Hurdle is taking part in a clinical trial for Friedreich’s ataxia at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
-
Patient reflects on 60th anniversary as childhood cancer survivor
Patient reflects on her 60th anniversary as a childhood cancer survivor
-
Finding Hope in Clinical Trials
A medulloblastoma clinical trial offered hope to 7-year-old Kinlee Johnson and her family. Learn more.
-
Family chooses St. Jude because of SAMD9/SAMD9L researcher
Family chooses St. Jude for care because of its expertise in SAMD9/SAMD9L syndrome.
-
Molecular diagnostics give Fletcher what some thought impossible: a diagnosis and treatment plan
Molecular diagnostics give Fletcher Fazenbaker what some thought impossible: a diagnosis and treatment plan for infant-type hemispheric glioma (IHG), a subtype of high-grade glioma — a rare brain tumor — that was not classified by the World Health Organization’s brain tumor classification guide until 2021
-
Surviving childhood cancer is just the beginning of Darshana’s story
Darshana Magan survived cancer 30 years ago, but her treatment caused long-term health issues. Read how she cares for her health and encourages other survivors.
-
Sickle cell disease education and support help Jayden excel
Jayden's care team at St. Jude is helping him manage and understand his sickle cell disease. Learn more
-
Scan-tastic! St. Jude helps Zara succeed
St. Jude child life specialists help patients understand the MRI scanning process to make it easier for them, and some patients are able to stay still enough for scans that anesthesia isn't needed.
-
Teen climbs new heights after bone cancer
Doctors at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital were able to save Micah Winkle's leg from bone cancer, but it was up to the teen to discover alternatives to the contact sports he had played before his cancer diagnosis. Find out more.
-
Limiting the side effects of treatment: Proton Therapy provides focused radiation
St. Jude has the world’s first proton therapy center dedicated to childhood cancer. Patients come from all over to receive treatment. One such patient is Brianna Gonzales.