Meet Tyler Drake Mills

Ruston, Louisiana

Tyler Mills attended a late summer cookout in September 2007, accidentally eating an undercooked hamburger patty. A few days later, Tyler became very ill.

Tyler’s parents, Drake and Ann Marie, took him to the local hospital, where the cause of his illness could not be determined. Doctors recommended Tyler be sent to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Because of his condition, travel by regular ambulance was not an option, so Tyler was airlifted to ACH.

“The feeling of watching your child being airlifted is indescribable,” says Ann Marie. “However, everything that we were told about the hospital – that their true focus is the children and the expertise of the staff is superb – proved to be true.”

Within three hours, Tyler was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), an advanced form of E.coli. HUS affects kidney function and blood levels in the body and can be fatal if not treated quickly and properly.

“Over the course of the next week, we were amazed at the progress Tyler made,” says Ann Marie. “A plan of action was determined each morning by his medical team. He was clearly the priority of every physician, student, nurse and even the housekeepers.”

A week later, with Tyler’s blood levels stabilized, he was discharged from the hospital. Later that month when he returned for his follow-up visit, his doctor was delighted by his rapid progress. His illness was over, and Tyler would not have to return.

“We will never be able to adequately thank the Arkansas Children’s Hospital family for the gift of health for our son,” says Ann Marie.  “We want to share our story to show our immeasurable gratitude for the care that was shown to us by the ACH staff.”