Inspiring Patient Stories

High School Wrestler Saved After Experiencing Cardiac Arrest

May 24, 2022 – Shortly after his 17th birthday, Miami Southridge Senior High School athlete Javon underwent cardiac arrest during wrestling practice. Thanks to the fast actions and lifesaving efforts of the athletic staff and their use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), Javon's heart was stabilized and he was transferred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital for care. 

 

Sebastian Beats Brain Cancer

May 23, 2022 – Sebastian's mother became concerned when he began experiencing a dull headache that would not go away. After several days of the continued headaches, Sebastian's pediatrician recommended that the family take him to the emergency room for further testing. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor and with a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. His doctors immediately jumped into action to create a plan for his treatment.

Piper’s Story: Navigating Life with Ulcerative Colitis

May 09, 2022 – Piper became incredibly sick in December of 2020. Just days after Piper turned 11, her parents were dismayed to learn that she had ulcerative colitis. The family went to see Dr. Muniz Crim, who, after explaining various treatment options, she suggested Remicade infusions would be the best treatment for Piper. 

Emet’s Brachial Plexus Injury Has Not Hindered His Dream of Becoming a Power Ranger

May 04, 2022 – At his birth, Emet’s shoulder became stuck in his mother’s pelvis, causing an injury to his brachial plexus, a network of nerves in the neck that control the arm. The family was referred to the Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, where Emet had surgery to repair the nerves. He continues his therapy and visits Dr. Berger for quarterly checkups. Emet dreams of becoming a Power Ranger when he is older. 

Mo's Story

April 25, 2022 –

As a mother of three daughters, Moraima is no stranger to the wave of emotions that come with raising teenage daughters. That became especially important when she tragically lost her husband. Moraima’s youngest daughter was only eight at the time and had a difficult time coping with her father’s passing. This is when she reached out to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to find support for herself and her daughter. 

Patient of the Month: JP

March 28, 2022 –

When John and Jess learned that their soon-to-be firstborn son JP was diagnosed in utero with a bladder obstruction that required a surgery before birth, their world came to a stop. Due to his diagnosis, JP was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth where he spent the first 6 months of his life.

Eric Undergoes Less-Invasive Heart Valve Replacement with FDA-Approved Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve

March 03, 2022 – Eric was born with critical pulmonary valve stenosis, a defect affecting the heart valve that connects the heart and lungs. He was only a week old when he underwent his first heart procedure, balloon dilation of a narrowed heart valve in his heart via cardiac catheterization. By his late teens, Eric was approaching the next step in his heart journey, a valve replacement for his pulmonary valve. 

Heidi’s Journey with Trisomy 18: Defying the Odds

March 02, 2022 – Heidi was born with Trisomy 18, a rare genetic condition that causes various developmental differences. Early on, her mother learned that Heidi would be born with several complex conditions, including a cleft lip and palate and a hole in her heart known as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). They were given a devastating prognosis in that there was a 90 percent chance she would not make it past her first birthday. However, Heidi beat those odds.

Patient of the Month: Alexandra

February 23, 2022 – Born prematurely and with heart complications, Alexandra was described as a miracle baby. Just months old, she experienced respiratory distress and was eventually airlifted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to undergo multiple surgeries.

A Bright Future for Cassian Thanks to Genomic Testing

February 15, 2022 – Cassian experienced persistent pulmonary hypertension soon after he was born. Doctors transferred the ill newborn to Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to learn a genetic reason for his illness. Nicklaus Children’s is one of only two hospitals in Florida offering rapid whole genome sequencing (rWGS). Due to this, Cassian received an early diagnosis and did not experience the severe consequences associated with Wilson’s disease.

Taylor Outruns Heart Disease To Graduate College and Complete a Marathon

February 04, 2022 – Taylor was born at 28 weeks at St Mary's Hospital and was transferred to Nicklaus Children's hospital due to her patent ductus arteriosus. She was also diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot, a combination of four heart defects that affects one in approximately 2,500 children. Today, Taylor is a healthy 21-year-old who has completed three half marathons and recently her first full marathon.

Patient of the Month: Nicolas

January 24, 2022 – Nicolas and his family searched for help and answers in Colombia, and after multiple opinions he was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA2). If continued untreated, he may lose the use of some muscles. Thankfully, Nicolas was able to visit Nicklaus Children’s for care.

Gabrien's Story

January 14, 2022 – During a routine ultrasound early in her pregnancy, Rebecca Jones and her husband Brent were devastated to learn there was something wrong with their baby’s heart. The expectant parents learned their baby, Gabrien, had a rare heart defect called transposition of the great arteries, a condition in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed. Their obstetrician referred them to Dr. David Drossner, a pediatric cardiologist and director of outpatient cardiology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. 

Melany's Story

December 29, 2021 – Melany began experiencing stomach pain and rapid weight loss, and later that year, she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. A family friend recommended Dr. Crim from Nicklaus Children's Hospital, and Melany's mom decided to give her a visit. Melany has now reached a healthy weight and learned to manage her condition.

Krue’s Battle With Crohn’s Disease

December 20, 2021 – Krue began experiencing frequent high fevers and changes in his bowel habits when he was only 5 years old. After several tests and procedures were performed, Krue was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Living With Hemophilia: Kevin's Story

November 30, 2021 – Kevin was only two years old when he was diagnosed with hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that prevents the blood from clotting properly. He learned to give himself his medication, which he had to inject every other day. Today, Kevin says he owes his success to his family, his care team, and of course, himself for being his own advocate.

Patient of the Month: Gloria

November 19, 2021 –

Dancing was Gloria’s favorite activity, until a large bump developed on her spine making movement difficult. Eventually needing support to walk, Gloria and her family traveled from Haiti to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for treatment.

Leonardo Finds His Voice

November 08, 2021 – Leonardo’s vocal cords were fused from birth, causing him difficulty breathing with any type of common cold and preventing the child from speaking. Fortunately, his condition was treatable and involved a surgery to separate his fused vocal cords into two healthy vocal cords. 

Patient of the Month: Mariangel

October 26, 2021 –

Mariangel, born in a small town called Galerazamba, Colombia, was diagnosed in utero with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects mobility, balance and posture. After searching for answers for years, she finally found help after a Nicklaus Children’s Hospital pediatric orthopedic surgeon visited her hometown on a medical mission trip.

#Jaydenstrong: Two Nicklaus Children’s Nurses Find Hope and Healing for Their Ailing Son

October 22, 2021 – Dayse and Oscar Delgado are two registered nurses that worked at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for more than 25 years providing care for many children. They had always had the role of care providers until September 2020, when their 2-year-old son Jayden experienced his first seizure. Suddenly they found themselves seeking out the services of the hospital where they had dedicated their careers.