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A journey of healing and helping: Kali’s Children’s Minnesota story

Kali Anderson’s journey with Children’s Minnesota has been over a decade in the making. 

When Kali was 10 years old, her day-to-day life became disrupted by frequent and intense headaches. “The headaches felt like a brain-freeze, kind of like when you eat ice cream too fast. They didn’t last long, but when they happened, they came on strong and nearly stopped me in my tracks,” recalls Kali.  

Kali’s mother brought Kali to a neurologist at another health care system for evaluation, but according to Kali, the assessment was normal, and no further action was recommended. 

However, over time, Kali’s symptoms worsened and she experienced 50-80 headaches each day. Kali and her mom knew something was not right, so they decided to get a second opinion. 

A life-changing surgery 

Kali met with Dr. Mahmoud Nagib, pediatric neurosurgeon, at Neurosurgical Associates, Ltd. She had an MRI scan on her brain and Dr. Nagib’s review of the MRI found a Chiari I malformation. Chiari I malformation is when the cerebellum – the part of the brain that controls coordination and muscle movement – pushes down through the hole in the bottom of the skull (also called the foramen magnum). Kali would need surgery to remove bones at the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum and create space for the brain and brain stem.

“I was hesitant to the surgery at first. As a competitive dancer, I didn’t know how it would be to come back to dance after surgery and I didn’t want to take time away from it,” said Kali. “But I knew the surgery was for the best and I couldn’t live my life with these headaches. Dr. Nagib understood my hesitation and explained everything very well and eased a lot of my nerves,” said Kali.

Kali Anderson laying in a hospital bed when she was young

Just two weeks later, Kali underwent a successful Chiari I malformation decompression surgery at Children’s Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis performed by Dr. Nagib. 

A healing experience 

As Kali recovered in the hospital following her surgery, she fondly recalls the friendly staff, comforting environment and support she received. She also remembers playing multiple games of BINGO with The Dude at Star Studio, the in-house TV station at Children’s Minnesota, and winning lots of prizes. 

Once Kali went home and eased back into day-to-day life, she no longer had frequent and extreme headaches, and she was able to return to competitive dance within four months of her surgery. Kali received follow-up care at Children’s Minnesota’s neurosurgery outpatient clinic to monitor her symptoms and continued her passion of dance for several years. 

When Kali went into her first year of college, she knew she wanted to become a nurse.

“The nurses I had taking care of me and the care I received as a patient [at Children’s Minnesota] are the reasons I’m a nurse today,” said Kali. “I knew I wanted to help kids just like myself.” 

Returning to Children’s Minnesota 

In 2023, Kali returned to Children’s Minnesota’s neurology unit at the Minneapolis hospital by working as a registered nurse (RN). For Kali, coming back to Children’s Minnesota as a nurse has been a deeply rewarding experience.  

Kali Anderson, registered nurse at Children's Minnesota

“[At Children’s Minnesota] I’m able to take care of kids who have experienced the same symptoms and surgery I did, which is super cool. Being able to interact with these kids, share similar experiences and show them where I am today and that surgery doesn’t stop them from living life is one of the best parts about my job and why I love working at Children’s [Minnesota] on the pediatric neurology unit,” said Kali.

She also occasionally works with Dr. Nagib and his patients on the neurosurgery unit! In 2024, Kali received a nomination for the DAISY Award, acknowledging her compassionate care as a nurse. 

Today, Kali is healthy and still does not experience the severe symptoms she had before her surgery. Kali’s journey from patient to nurse at Children’s Minnesota has been a full circle of care, allowing her to give back to the hospital that helped her heal.

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