EDMOND, Okla. - An Oklahoma family is crediting a routine trip to the dentist with saving a girl's life.
The check up turned into so much more for 11-year-old Journee Woodard.
Her hygienist noticed something odd with Woodard's pearly whites; she was looking at her eyes, not her teeth.
“She said, 'You know, Journee’s eyes look yellow,'” Dr. Michael Chandler said, Journee’s dentist . “She asked me to take a look, I took a look and said that does look abnormal.”
Dr. Chandler told Woodard's mom who took her to a doctor.
Little did they know she’d be fighting for her life just days later.
The website "Journee’s Journey" chronicles the days after the dental visit.
The website explains:
“Friday she underwent a 9-hour surgery to remove a grapefruit-size tumor. Surgeons performed 'Whipple Procedure,' a major operation that removed part of her pancreas, stomach, gall bladder and part of the intestine.”
Dr. Chandler, who has known Woodard for years, told KFOR-TV his office is wrapped up in her recovery.
“I didn't feel like there was anything I could do to help, which is one of the harder things,” Dr. Chandler told KFOR-TV. “Journee’s mother has called the office a few times. She’s been very grateful, she’s posted it on social media.”
The doctor was quick to point out that he and his crew were simply being diligent and doing their jobs.
“It’s hard to feel like I’m a hero," he told KFOR-TV
The crew took a quick break with KFOR-TV to send a recovering Woodard a message.
“You’ve got a lot of people who love you, a lot of people that care for you, we wish you well,” Chandler said. “I’ll be praying for you.”
Journee’s Journey explains that the family is currently waiting for test results on the tumor.
Click here for more on Woodard's story or to donate to help the family.
Source: KFOR-TV
