Having to deal with a sick child and the subsequent hospital stay is an extremely challenging and anxiety-inducing situation. Two local families recently faced this when their kids fell ill and were admitted to the hospital. However, this week brought them some much-needed good news - they get to return home just in time for the holidays.

MedStar's Holiday Miracle for Sick Kids

Family 1: The Martins

Katie and Brian Martin from D.C. have been at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for over two weeks. Their 1-year-old daughter, Summer, is being treated for a serious respiratory infection. "We had her in the ER, and then she was admitted here and was ultimately intubated. But she's on the other side of it now, which shows just how amazing the staff here is," Katie Martin shared. "She looks like a completely different baby from last week." The Martins have been taking 12-hour shifts at the hospital, with one taking care of their 5-year-old son at home. Summer is now feeling better and will only need to quarantine and take some medications going forward. "This is all we wanted for Christmas this year - a healthy kiddo back home," Martin said.

Family 2: The Coates

Jacqueline Coates from D.C. has also been staying at MedStar Georgetown while her 6-year-old daughter, Jade, is receiving treatment for complications from pneumonia. "It's very hard to see her so sick. She's usually such a good kid, so to see her cry or be miserable makes me feel so helpless. I didn't know what to do, but I took her to the hospital," Coates expressed. Jade is now on the mend and relieved to be able to go home. She and the other kids at the hospital received a special visit from Santa Claus on Tuesday and received a celebratory teddy bear. "We didn't get to go see Santa at the mall like we usually do, so this was a nice surprise for her," Coates said.MedStar's dedicated staff has played a crucial role in the recovery of these families. Their expertise and care have made a significant difference in the lives of these children. These holiday homecomings are a testament to the hospital's commitment to providing the best possible care. As we approach the holidays, it's heartwarming to see these families reunited and on the path to recovery.