Inspiring Patient Stories

Read inspiring stories of hope from patients and families treated at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Have your own inspiring patient story to share? If you’d like to share your Nicklaus Children's story to inspire hope, and help other families find answers to questions they’re seeking for their child, please contact us at: info@nicklaushealth.org.


As you read these inspiring stories, we invite you to help us be there for the children by making an investment in their future through a contribution to Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation.


 

Liz: Growing inch by inch

February 12, 2024 – Liz was completely dependent on others to eat, bathe, and dress because of a condition known as a achondroplasia that impacts the growth of bone in the limbs. After learning of limb lengthening surgery, she met with Dr. Ruggles at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine, and Spine Institute. Now, Liz enjoys the little things like combing her own hair and carrying a bookbag to school.

Patient of the Month: Barbie

January 22, 2024 – Barbara (aka Barbie) was living in Venezuela undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia when her family decided to travel to Nicklaus Children's Hospital for targeted therapy and additional care at the Nicklaus Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute.

Patient of the Month: Wildaline

November 21, 2023 – Wildaline’s had a fast-growing benign tumor on her face was impeding her speech and about to cut her airwaves. She had just days to live.A multidisciplinary team of doctors and specialists moved swiftly to devise a plan and perform life-saving surgery so Wildaline could survive. 

Patient of the Month: Kaylee and Family

October 31, 2023 – A truly remarkable example of not just a brave patient, but three members of the same family overcoming cancer.

Zayia's Success Story

October 02, 2023 – Zayia was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphocytic leukemia when she was 14 years old. With support from Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Zayia decided to spend her day giving back to other children undergoing cancer treatment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. 

Patient of the Month: Stephanie

September 29, 2023 – Born in Puerto Rico and brought to Miami for a fighting chance at life, Stephanie needed to be placed on a ventilator for breathing assistance immediately after birth. Despite prematurely arriving, she's exceeded all expectations and is well on her way to adulthood!

Patient of the Month: Mikaela

August 31, 2023 – Treatment options for Mikaela's scoliosis diagnosis was severely limited in Paraguay during the pandemic, so Mikaela's parents brought her to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Thankfully, after undergoing a successful operation on her spine, Mikaela has restarted school and lives a more comfortable and confident life. 

Ella's Epilepsy Success Story

August 21, 2023 – Ella, diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy in sixth grade, underwent brain surgery. Now, she's seizure free and sharing her experience via her own TED talk. Inspired by the team at Nicklaus Children's, she aims to become a neuropsychologist.

Hope and Healing for Noah

August 15, 2023 – Soon after Noah's birth at 33 weeks, the tiny neonate was struggling with a persistent high bilirubin count. He underwent numerous tests at the hospital where he was born to try to determine the cause. High bilirubin is common among premature babies, yet standard treatments did not help Noah, suggesting an unusual diagnosis.

Happy News for Patrick

August 02, 2023 – Maria and her husband, Brian learned that their son Patrick had a gene/variant of unclear significance for a rare genetic disorder called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) which causes damage to nerve cells. What remained unknown was whether Patrick had the more serious form of the disorder – a condition that could end his life before he reached adulthood.

Sofia's Inspiring Journey with SMA

July 26, 2023 – Sofia was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, a genetic condition that affects the spinal cord’s ability to control the muscles, decreasing and limiting mobility. In Sofia’s 6 years of life, she has already overcome more medical challenges than most adults.

Patient of the Month: Ayan

July 25, 2023 – After noticing Ayan's arm was swelling, his mother Anca took him to the pediatrician for a biopsy. While results were pending, they took a trip to visit family abroad but on the return trip, Ayan experienced pain in both legs and a fever. Immediately after landing, Anca rushed her son to the nearest emergency room where he was then transferred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. An additional biopsy confirmed Ayan had an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive type of sarcoma. Thankfully, after more than a year of receiving chemotherapy, resection surgery and proton radiation, Ayan is now cancer free!

Santiago's Medulloblastoma Journey

July 17, 2023 – Santiago was only in kindergarten when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous tumor of the brain. His mother, Mehble, says their life was turned upside down when he suddenly came down with strong flu-like symptoms, high fevers, vomiting and nausea that would not go away. After 24 hours of hospitalization, they learned it was a brain tumor and needed emergency surgery to remove the mass in his brain.

A New Smile and Bright Tomorrow for Michelle

July 14, 2023 – Michelle’s journey started at  Nicklaus Children’s Hospital  before she was even born. We found out that Michelle was going to be born with a cleft lip and palate at my 20-week anatomy scan. The news was unexpected and was difficult to understand but I was assured that everything was going to be fine and that the pediatric craniofacial team at Nicklaus Children’s was one of the best.

Angelina's Success Story

June 13, 2023 – Angelina, an avid soccer player tore her ACL during a club game. Thankfully, the incredible expertise of Dr. Craig Spurdle, Orthopedic Surgeon and Chief of the Nicklaus Children's Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute at Nicklaus Children's Hospital completed a successful ACL repair surgery and on the road to scoring goals again. 

Patient of the Month: Nicole

May 31, 2023 – When Nicole complained of head pain her parents, Roberto and Tamara, took her to an urgent care. After the medicine provided didn't ease her pain she was brought to Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Thankfully, a multidisciplinary team of specialists quickly understood what was at stake, Nicole was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and immediately began treatment to remove the mass.

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.


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