Inspiring Patient Stories

Nicolas' Success Story

March 19, 2014 – Nicolas was born in Peru with an aortic coarctation and had an emergency surgery when he was 3 weeks old. A local pediatrician monitored him closely and was in constant contact with Nicklaus Children's Hospital, whom he had recommended for most of his complicated heart patients. Nicolas underwent a valve procedure at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and received excellent care in the ICU.

Keila's Success Story

March 19, 2014 – Keila underwent spinal fusion surgery at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and feels grateful for the care and support she received during her long recovery.

Jaslene's Success Story

March 19, 2014 – Baby Jaslene was born three months before her due date. She weighed only two pounds. She couldn't breathe or eat on her own, but with care from the NICU, she started to get stronger and more active.

Gracie's Emergency Success Story

March 19, 2014 – Gracie accidently ingested lamp oil and as a result became very sick. She was transferred to two different hospitals before she was airlifted by the LifeFlight team to Nicklaus Children's, where they saved her life.

Gabe's Success Story

March 19, 2014 – After 2 weeks of high fevers, numerous blood tests and visits to the pediatrician's office, Gabe looked like a pin cushion full of bruises. He was admitted and released from several hospitals with fever and his parents were told he could have one of a hundred different viruses. When his parents took him to Nicklaus Children's Hospital they were able to solve the mystery and save his life!

Caitlyn's Success Story

March 19, 2014 – Caitlyn was having sharp pains in the upper left corner of her stomach and side. An ultrasound led to the discovery of a tumor (a lesion) in her spleen. Dr. Malvezzi performed surgery to remove the lesion. Today Caitlyn feels amazing and no longer has pain, thanks to all the amazing doctors at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital!

Amanda's Emergency Success Story

March 19, 2014 – Amanda was in a terrible car accident that caused her a traumatic brain injury. After three weeks in a coma and three brain surgeries, she is now a happy six year old attending kindergarten.

Elena's Success Story

March 14, 2014 – At age 11, Elena began having violent seizures that would not stop, even with medicine. She was being transported from school to the hospital at least once a week. In 2011, she was referred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital where doctors ran a number of tests and determined that surgery was the best option for her condition. She had two surgeries, one to map her brain and another to remove a cavernoma. Her recovery was quick and she has been seizure free ever since.

Brenna's Brain Tumor Success Story

March 14, 2014 – Brenna was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October of 2009. She was airlifted to Nicklaus Children's Hospital immediately following her diagnosis. Dr. David Sandberg, her neurosurgeon, was calm and clear about the treatment that was necessary for her recovery.

Patient of the Month: Gaetano

March 01, 2014 – Just four months after being born, Gaetano already knows what it means to fight for his life. At birth, doctors discovered he had a right-side congenital diaphragmatic hernia and pulmonary hypertension, meaning the muscle separating his heart and lungs from the lower abdominal organs did not develop completely while he was in the womb.

Caden's Success Story

February 04, 2014 – Caden was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome – which essentially means he was born with half a heart. His parents did their research and decided to trust his care to the Nicklaus Children's Heart Program. Caden had his first open-heart surgery with Dr. Redmond Burke when he was a few days old. Over the span of three years Caden underwent three open-heart surgeries and two cardiac catheterizations.

Patient of the Month: Harrison

February 01, 2014 – Harrison's parents brought him to Nicklaus Children's thinking he had a regular stomach virus, but their world turned upside down when the Emergency Room doctors couldn't find a pulse on their son. Harrison's heart had completely stopped, but he continued to talk and walk. The ER doctors transferred him to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and worked together to diagnose and treat his condition. Thanks to their care, Harrison is back to being active and has participated in the MCH5k for the past three years as a way to give back to the hospital that saved his life.

Patient of the Month: Andres

January 01, 2014 – After being diagnosed with Leukemia in 2012, Andres spent 243 days at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and today he is healthier and happier, thanks to the care he received here. Now, while on the maintenance phase of cancer treatment, he shares with us his survival story.

Anthony & Christopher's Success Story

December 02, 2013 – My brother Anthony and I are twins with heart problems. We are very glad that Dr. Richard Zakheim was our doctor for a long time. We wanted to thank him and the staff at his office for the care we received.

Patient of the Month: Nathan

December 01, 2013 – Nathan’s mom went in for what was supposed to be a normal ultrasound and instead discovered that her son’s heart had serious complications. In most places Nathan would not have survived, but he was referred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where the Cardiac team not only rebuilt his heart, they gave him the opportunity to grow as a healthy, happy child.

Mirabel's Success Story

November 22, 2013 – Just before her first birthday, little Mirabel began experiencing epileptic seizures that shattered early dreams of a normal childhood. After a 10-hour surgery a malfunctioning portion of the left parietal region of her brain that was causing the seizures was successfully removed.

Ava's Success Story

November 11, 2013 – Ava was a healthy, energetic 2 year old until one evening, she complained of belly pain when she laid down. The next day, her mom noticed Ava was lethargic, very thirsty for water and refused to drink milk, so she took her to the pediatrician and was referred to the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Cancer Center.

Home to Russia with Love

November 01, 2013 – A surgical team led by Dr. Cathy Burnweit, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at MCH, performed a marathon 19-hour "heated chemotherapy" procedure that has only been used for pediatric patients at a handful of centers within the U.S., saving 12-year-old Daria Rozhkova.

Gianna's Success Story

October 13, 2013 – At just 4 years old, Gianna has had 3 open-heart surgeries at Nicklaus Children's Hospital (NCH). Her parents were comforted by the incredible staff of doctors and nurses at NCH and thanks to them, Gianna will be able to live a full life.

Deborah's Guillain-Barre syndrome success story

June 12, 2013 – After being diagnosed with Guillain Barre syndrome, a serious disorder that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system, Debbie had a tracheotomy and would be on a respirator for two months and couldn’t walk.