After months of reoccurring strep throats we were advised our youngest daughter Kimberly Beth who was 7 years old would need her tonsils removed. We live in a rural community with a small hospital and chose to take her to a larger hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

So on March 3, 1986, we took Kimberly to the hospital for what the doctor said was a simple operation and would take about 45 minutes and we could see her afterwards. About 2 hours passed when a doctor approached my husband and I and introduced himself and said there was a problem. He told us Kimberly had developed muscle rigidity and her body temperature was elevated so they stopped the operation. He also told us that he was not the attending anesthesiologist that he was passing the OR and heard the voices talking and went into the OR. He had only one other time in his 30 years as a doctor seen another case with similar body reactions and knew the operation had to stop immediately. When we were able to go and see Kimberly she was packed in ice to bring her temperature down and was being monitored. She was scared and crying, as we did not know what had happened. We had so many questions. We were able to bring her home and were told they suspected it might be Malignant Hyperthermia and take her temperature every hour. Of course not knowing what Malignant Hyperthermia was I called the next day and made an appointment with the doctor to get more information as he had offered. It took close to a year to get all the information and check into insurance coverage for the muscle biopsy; what made things worse was the fact that the test was considered experimental and the closest hospital was out of the state of Maryland.

So on May 5, 1987 at the age of 8 we took Kimberly to Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA for the muscle biopsy, performed by Dr. Rosenberg. When the result came back, we were advised Kimberly was positive for MH and that we should get a medical ID for her. Kimberly wears a medical ID bracelet all the time. We were very lucky the doctor was there to stop the operation and Kimberly recovered with no problems. It is so very important to meet with the anesthesiologist before any surgery to make sure they know the signs of MH and know how to handle a MH crisis as well as knowing your family medical history.

Kimberly has graduated with a BS degree, has a career in special education and lives in Westminster, Maryland with her cat Diesel. 

My husband, Howard and I know how lucky we are that our daughter survived the MH episode. Many parents and families are not as fortunate. Knowing that if it could happen to our family, it can happen to anyone.

After Kimberly’s MH episode I decided to educate myself as much as possible about Malignant Hyperthermia and become involved with MHAUS. I have been a volunteer with MHAUS for over 20 years and currently chair the Patient Liaison Committee. I feel it is so important to tell people what MH is and the questions to ask their doctors before any surgery. There are many resources now available to anyone who wants to know more about MH. MHAUS has many individuals who work tirelessly and volunteer their time to help educate and save lives. It is a privilege to work with such dedicated people.

As told by her mother, Lydia E. Friedman

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