Inspiring Patient Stories

Madison's Success Story

May 30, 2023 – Madison was born with a heart defect called truncus arteriosus. Despite having open-heart surgery at Nicklaus Children's when just 4 years old, she hasn't slow down one bit. From an early age she's enjoyed dancing, even competing. Now, she's in the race for the title of Miss Florida Teen USA!

Patient of the Month: Jaxon

April 24, 2023 – Jaxon was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, an irregular shape of the skull that was causing the brain to be squeezed, needing immediate corrective surgery. In addition, it was determined that he had a genetic disorder that would require ongoing care. Thankfully Jaxon's parents, Dara and Cliff, knew exactly where to find the best care for their child -- and seven years later they are celebrating his birthday this month.

Shawn's Journey with the Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT)

April 06, 2023 – The Pediatric Advanced Care team (PACT) and Shawn's mother share Shawn's journey of care.

Patient of the Month: Fabricio

March 31, 2023 –

Fabricio was born prematurely at 32 weeks and spent 21 days in the ICU at a hospital in Colombia. Almost a year later Fabricio's family learned that he had spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, but it wasn't until a pediatric orthopedic surgeon visited Cartagena, Colombia on a mission trip where she met Fabricio and knew that she and her team at Nicklaus Children's could help.

Patient of the Month: Kai

February 20, 2023 – Jackie and Rob received unfortunate news that their second baby, Kai, had been diagnosed with congenital heart defects. Surprisingly, Kai's mother Jackie had underwent heart surgery when she was as a young teenager as well. Not only did she receive treatment at Nicklaus Children's, then Miami Children's Hospital, but the same surgeon that had treated Jackie, Dr. Redmond Burke, would later be called upon alongside the entire team at The Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute to ensure Kai's successful open-heart surgery. 

Jacob's Success Story

February 09, 2023 – Before he was born, Jacob was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Overcoming multiple surgeries, he started experiencing seizures and even had a stroke. Now, with a combination of medications that helped him manage his seizures and keep his heart rate stable, Jacob is attending high school for students with special abilities and enjoys cooking and dancing.

Patient of the Month: Leo

January 29, 2023 –

Shortly after his third birthday, Flavia and Stalin began to notice significant bruising below the knees on their son, Leo. Their worries began growing after they realized that Leo was more tired than usual, presenting signs of difficulty breathing, and struggling to complete everyday activities.

Candido's Story

January 13, 2023 – Candido is a rambunctious 2-year-old boy who loves to play and run around. During a bad fall that required an emergency room visit and x-ray imaging his family learned that he was born with a rare bone defect called congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia or CPT.

Yuray's Heart Story

January 11, 2023 – Yuray Rodriguez was only 15 days old when he underwent heart surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to repair a condition known as Coaction of the Aorta, a narrowing of the aorta that can lead to heart failure and high blood pressure. Now in college, one would never know he was born with a serious heart defect, if it wasn’t for a scar that runs down his chest.

Patient of the Month: Kateryna

December 05, 2022 – After being diagnosed with a heart defect in her home country of Ukraine, Kateryna needed surgery for treatment and full recovery. Then, because of the war, her family fled while still seeking medical. Finally, the family was referred to Dr. Daniel Duarte, a pediatric interventional cardiologist at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Patient of the Month: Daniel

November 21, 2022 – After Daniel was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells, Daniel underwent many rounds of chemotherapy at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.  Eventually requiring a bone marrow transplant, Daniel was matched with a donor who eventually became his pen pal. Fast forward two years later, Daniel and his family were surprised to meet the young man who performed a selfless act to save their young boy. 
 

Beckett's Story

November 04, 2022 – In his short 12 years of life, Beckett Oleson of Tampa has been a healthy, growing boy who enjoys building with Lego sets and performing in musical theater. His life changed abruptly in 2019, when he started to have seizures.

Cardiac Catheterization Procedure Helps Jackson's Start to Life

October 14, 2022 – Baby Jackson, born after only 24 weeks of gestation, was very fragile and required oxygen around the clock. His parents were referred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital to repair his patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) a congenital heart defect that occurs commonly in premature infants.

Patient of the Month: Oliver

September 26, 2022 – Oliver began wheezing frequently so his parents, Trisha and Brian took their son to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. While at first his parents assumed COVID-19 related, blood tests confirmed something much more serious, leukemia. Despite his diagnosis, Oliver remains focused and positive even supporting other children' with cancer. 

Patient of the Month: Enya

August 29, 2022 –

After a pregnancy checkup showed signs of possible cleft lip and palate, Reánnah and Andre took their soon to be born daughter Enya to the United States seeking care. After a healthy birth at a local hospital in Miami, Enya was transported for treatment and follow-up at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Gianna: Young Sarcoma Patient Shares Her Journey to Inspire Others

August 03, 2022 – In March of 2022, little Gianna began experiencing a sharp pain in her leg that was causing her to limp. Her mother, Kathy, took her to the pediatrician who recommended she have an X-ray to see what was causing the pain.

Tomas’ Remarkable Story

August 02, 2022 – Tomas was at home with his family in August 2021, when he suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing. Upon arrival at the hospital, Tomas still had no heart function and was emergently admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ECMO, a heart-lung bypass therapy that would give his heart time to gain strength and recover.

Meet Anya, Lily and Kian: First set of triplets delivered at Jupiter Medical Center, a Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Affiliate

August 01, 2022 – Lana was speechless when she and her partner found out they were expecting triplets after a successful IVF fertility treatment. The couple experienced many emotions, including excitement about growing their family, and concern about whether there would be any health risks associated with carrying the triplets to full term. At 32 weeks, Lana delivered the triplets at Jupiter Medical Center.

Their Medical Mystery Solved, a Family Helps Create Awareness of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome

July 22, 2022 – Crystal grew up believing that she was somehow “different” from other people. It wasn’t until the birth of her second child in 2017 that the Florida gulf coast mother of three found answers to personal mysteries she had pondered throughout her life.

Roy's Story: Mixed Reality Technology Helps Doctors Save Boy's Life

June 13, 2022 – The Advanced Projects Laboratory at Nicklaus Children's brings hope to young boy with rare form of cancer through the use of 3D printing and mixed reality.