Former Los Angeles Dodgers standouts Ron Cey and Eric Karros visited Cedars-Sinai Medical Center last week to help brighten the days for pediatric patients and their parents. Karros and Cey handed out Dodgers gifts and signed autographs.

Former Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros, Aaron Brock and former Dodgers third baseman Ron Cey hang out at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. (photo by Gregory Cornfield)

“When I say this is a great opportunity, it’s almost from a selfish standpoint,” Karros, the Dodgers’ all-time home runner leader said. “… (These kids) are going through things that no child or youngster should have to go through. As a parent, I know that it really impacts me to see the courage that these kids have and the fortitude and what they are going through. I would never pass up this opportunity to see them and try to put a smile on their faces.”

Cey arranged train tracks with 3-year-old Nathan, while Karros talked with 20-year-old Chris about how things turned upside down for him when he got sick as he was getting ready to go to college in San Francisco.

“It’s always gratifying, although heartbreaking in the same sense, to see the struggles that these young people have,” Cey said. “Hopefully, in a moment, we can provide some relief and some joy.”

Cey and Karros later met with Serena Melvin, 10, and her parents. Serena had just completed her first of three surgeries and was very excited to meet the Dodgers.

Her mother, Sandra, explained that it was very uplifting for Serena because she is often in isolation after she was diagnosed with Colitis. But it was also exciting for Serena because she is a big Dodgers fan. Sandra said when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim players visited, she suggested to her daughter that she become an Angels fan.

“But [Serena] didn’t want to have anything to do with that,” Sandra said.

Cey and Karros also met Aaron Brock, who just celebrated his 10th birthday. His parents said Aaron has been in and out of the hospital since he was born because he has cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).

According to Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association, CVS is characterized by recurrent, prolonged attacks of severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and prostration with no apparent cause. Vomiting occurs at frequent intervals for hours or days.

The Brocks, who live in Coldwater Canyon, hope to raise awareness about the syndrome, which can be difficult to diagnose because it is infrequently recognized and is often misdiagnosed as stomach flu, food poisoning or bulimia. There are no blood tests, x-rays or specific procedures to diagnose the disorder. The diagnosis is made after a careful review of the patient’s history, physical examination and lab studies to rule out other diseases.

The Brocks did not know why Aaron was sick until he was diagnosed with CVS when he was four and a half years old. They believe he has had the syndrome since he was 18 months old.

“It remains very undiagnosed and is considered very rare,” said Aaron’s father, Daniel.

“Some people are being diagnosed with cerebral migraines who don’t understand why it doesn’t react well to treatment,” said Aaron’s mother, Gudrun. “They just have no idea how to help themselves, nor do the doctors.”

Gudrun said Aaron suffered from symptoms five to seven days per week on a bi-weekly basis.

“To listen to a 6-year-old kid retching and retching, it’s just devastating for the patient and the families,” she said.

Daniel explained that they have tried different treatments, including a feeding program that “went off the rails” and created additional neurological problems for Aaron and he almost died. Now he takes five  medications, and his parents can intraveneously give him calories and nutrients at home.

“We seem like we’re getting closer to the target but not quite hitting the bullseye,” Daniel said.

Aaron’s parents are hopeful and said his drive to get better is “nothing short of a miracle.”

“Aaron still loves food and loves to eat and to be in the kitchen,” Daniel said. “His mom is an amazing cook and will cook whatever this kid wants all day. All we want is for him to grow to normal weight and size.”

The Brocks said although they are exhausted, they will not give up.

“We won’t rest until we have him well and better,” Gudrun said.

They are hoping to raise awareness about CVS so people know how it affects families and that there is support and medications to help to alleviate suffering.

For more information on CVS, visit www.cvsaonline.org.