Inspiring Patient Stories

David's Success Story

January 09, 2012 – David was ten and a half years old when first diagnosed with glioblastoma, a stage 4 brain cancer, in his right temporal lobe. After going through thirty three radiation treatments and being told he had only three months to live, Dave recovered and is cancer free.

Cristina's Success Story

January 09, 2012 – Cristina was admitted in 1974 for heart complications. Now an adult, she had to admit her own daughter for jaundice. She feels there is no better hospital for her and her family.

Craig's Success Story

January 09, 2012 – Craig was born two months early with an abnormality called craniosynostosis that made the sutures on his head fuse prematurely. Dr. Anthony Wolfe performed corrective surgery CJ is a healthy boy.

Christina's Success Story

January 09, 2012 – Christina, she was able to get immediate treatment for cataracts at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, and underwent operations that saved her sight. Now 6 years old, she has perfect vision with glasses, is involved in her school’s gifted program, and is on her way to becoming a rock star.

Brittany's Success Story

January 09, 2012 – Brittany was born 22 years ago with a life-threatening heart defect called a double outlet right ventricle. She was admitted to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, at birth because she needed immediate surgery to save her life. Because of her complex problem, she needed three other heart operations over the next seven years.

Amanda's Miracle Story

January 09, 2012 – Amanda had a traumatic brain injury when she was 13 months old. She was airlifted to Miami Children, where the neurosurgeon on call was Dr. David Sandberg. Once in the hospital Dr. Sandberg and the wonderful team of doctors, nurses and staff saved her life. She had a craniotomy (brain surgery) and was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for three weeks.

Alexis' Success Story

January 09, 2012 – When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Alexis has a ready answer: doctor, lawyer, teacher and dolphin trainer. While that may seem like a lot of goals, nothing is too much for this outgoing girl.One would never guess that the beautiful 9-year-old was born with a condition requiring six surgeries to repair.

Kai's Success Story

December 27, 2011 – Kai, who was 15 weeks old, started having fits. He was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where they discovered a rare and dangerous heart defect. The doctors said Kai needed to be airlifted to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital, as soon as possible as they didn’t know how long he had left to live before his heart stopped working.

Stacie Marie's Success Story

December 09, 2011 – Staci Marie was born a healthy child. One Saturday afternoon, she developed a high fever, and then became comatose for three months. When Staci awoke, she could not speak or walk. She had brain damage after contracting encephalitis. At age 6, Staci developed seizures, which were controlled until the age of 9. Then, she began having uncontrollable seizures that no doctor could seem to stop, and she almost died several times.

Navaeh's Success Story

December 09, 2011 – Nevaeh began her life with heart defect. She was just three months old when we began seeing Dr. Nancy C. Dobrolet (cardiologist) and Joann Nieves (nurse-practitioner). On Jan. 6, 2009, Dr. Burke performed open-heart surgery that she needed. Nevaeh is now doing great.

Leila's Heart Surgery Success Story

December 09, 2011 – Leila was born with three serious heart defects. At three months old, Dr. Redmond Burke performed open-heart surgery to correct her condition.Leila is now 15 months old and extremely healthy thanks to her wonderful doctors.

Madeline's Success Story

July 26, 2011 – Madeline Browne of Melbourne, Florida, was only 3 years old when she began having seizures. Following a successful surgery performed by neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjiv Bhatia to remove the diseased tissue, Madeline, now 10, has been seizure-free and has dazzled her family with her newfound maturity.

Anthony's Success Story

July 26, 2011 – Little Anthony was only days old when doctors in Sigonella, Italy, made a discovery that would send his family on an international trek in search of hope and healing. Born in Sicily, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Navy, Anthony’s tiny heart was so riddled with defects that Navy physicians advised the family to seek care. With the support of the U.S. Navy, the family’s search led them to The Congenital Heart Institute at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital – one of the leading heart programs in the nation known for its innovative techniques.

Renaldo's Epilepsy Success Story

July 22, 2011 – A Miami grandmother trying to end her grandson’s seizures in Trinidad finds hope at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Jeffery's Success Story

July 20, 2011 – Little Jeffrey, now 10, was born with sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder in which bone marrow produces defective hemoglobin that can block the blood supply to parts of the body, resulting in painful episodes and potentially debilitating strokes. Jeffrey's family have nothing but wonderful things to say about the doctors and staff at Nicklaus Children's Bone Marrow Transplant Program.

Hunter's Success Story

March 03, 2010 – Hunter was only 5-years-old when suddenly the once-sharp kindergartener could not recall whether he was eating breakfast or dinner. In March of 2009, Hunter’s parents learned that something was definitely wrong with their second-born son. Following their instinct, they made an appointment with Nicklaus Children's Hospital, formerly Miami Children's Hospital. That’s where Dr. Carlos Gadia, a pediatric neurologist, found a large tumor in Hunter’s brain. Hunter's family was told the tumor had been causing the seizures and the memory loss, and had to be removed quickly.

St. Clair's Success Story

February 16, 2010 – St. Clair was having trouble walking because his legs were tilting inwards, which was wearing out his joints and resulting in painful and premature arthritis. His condition progressed to a point where he could no longer play sports or even walk without pain. He was diagnosed with genu valgum, more commonly known as knock-knees.

A Cure for Carmani

May 26, 2009 – Basketball legend's child receives life-saving transplant.

Marco's Success Story

April 10, 2009 – After meeting 5-year-old Marco, one would never guess that he once had a tumor the size of an orange in his brain. The bustling kindergartener had surgery at Nicklaus Children's Hospital to remove the tumor at only 17 months of age.Today, Marco is busy making puzzles, playing games, participating in sports and generally exceeding expectations in school.

Patrick's Autism Success Story

February 19, 2009 – Patrick was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. Eighteen months later, through a series of therapies at Nicklaus Children's Hospital Dan Marino, Patrick is able to talk and interact with others.