Race for Our Kids 2017-Meet Isaiah
Although he was born prematurely, 15-year-old Isaiah Scott was living a healthy, active life until one day late last summer when he suddenly began experiencing severe abdominal pain.
After phoning his mom, Nicole, and telling her about his discomfort, Isaiah went to Northwest Hospital, where doctors discovered he had acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Isaiah was immediately transferred to Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. After four days of constant vomiting, his organs (including his kidneys) severely affected by his worsening condition, Isaiah was admitted to the intensive care unit and would be intubated for 30 days. His heart rate had gone up and 
he was rapidly gaining weight. He had to be put on 16 different medications, including two pain killers.
Isaiah awoke from his intubation in a hallucinatory state; he claimed he could see angels flying over his head. Nicole and Isaiah's dad, Craig, stayed with their son all but one night during his 43-day hospital stay. They were impressed by the family-centered care provided by Dr. Keisha Bell and the rest of the staff at Sinai. It was the little things that really touched their hearts, like how on one particular night after Craig had fallen asleep in Isaiah's hospital room, a nurse covered him in a blanket as he slept. Isaiah was released from the hospital after being treated for edema (fluid retention) with Lasix, but his journey to recovery had only begun. He had to be weaned off pain killers and retaught how to walk. The physical rehabilitation process was challenging for Isaiah because he was weak and still very sick. Craig, who had started training to be a physical therapist, would exercise Isaiah's legs for him while he was sleeping.
Two months after his release, Isaiah had to have his gallbladder removed. And just as he was beginning to feel better physically, he was diagnosed with diabetes. He has no physical restrictions, though he has to maintain a healthy diet (foods rich in nutrients and low in fat). Isaiah's diabetes diagnosis was a setback, but one the family is more than confident it can handle. "We can deal with the diabetes," his parents said, adding they are just so grateful that Isaiah rebounded from the period in which "his body was in shock and he was asleep for so long."
An exceptional student and hard worker with a very big heart, Isaiah was homeschooled this past year, earning all A's and B's and graduating from the eighth grade with honors. He is looking forward to attending Owings Mills High School in the fall and getting back to a normal routine. He and his parents remain grateful to the staff at Sinai for his ongoing care. Isaiah says the staff "still treats us like family."
Isaiah enjoys astronomy and biology and likes to play video games and read comics in his spare time. He also likes to cook.
Join Isaiah and his family in celebrating the 13th annual Race for Our Kids on Sept. 17. There will be chip-timed 5K and 10K races as well as a one-mile Family Fun Walk. A post-race party will follow. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Samuelson Children's Hospital.