Inspiring Patient Stories

A Winning Spirit: Aspen's Road to Recovery

July 15, 2019 – 11-year-old Aspen was playing in the water when she hit her head on the shallow ocean floor. The hit caused a fracture of the C-5 vertebrae in her neck. For three long months, Aspen wore a neck brace 24 hours a day as her doctor waited to see if her fracture would heal without surgery.

Patient of the Month: Alanis

July 09, 2019 – After a healthy delivery of her newborn baby girl Alanis, Ana was told that she was born with a small caramel colored birthmark on her arm. Not immediately alarmed by the news, Ana waited for their first appointment with the pediatrician who then referred them to Ana Margarita Duarte, MD, Director of the Division of Dermatology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Patient of the Month: Isabella

May 14, 2019 – At only 7 years old, Isabella began to complain about having back pains. Unable to run and play with her friends, or even walk at times, her mother decided it was time to visit an orthopedist. After several blood tests and an MRI, it was determined that Isabella had leukemia.

Patient of the Month: Joshua

April 16, 2019 – Joshua had an immune deficiency called immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency – the most common immune deficiency amongst children. One out of 200 children will have IgA deficiency. The second condition Joshua had was low white blood cells caused by a viral infection, presenting as if he had leukemia.

The Muñoz Family Thank You Letter

April 05, 2019 – My first impressions: the doctor was someone with a clear vision, extremely knowledgeable, caring, and well liked and respected by your colleagues. Most importantly, someone willing to coordinate care across the country for Olivia. Read the Muñoz family's thank you letter to our neurosurgery team.

Patient of the Month: Helia

March 29, 2019 – When Helia was 12 years old, her mother began to notice she was always very thirsty and drinking more water than usual. It got to the point that Helia was losing sleep due to all the weight she gained, so her mother decided to consult with a specialist.

Saving Teegan: From Minnesota to Miami in Search of Hope

March 26, 2019 – Though Teegan grew only a few pounds during her first three months, a stark contrast to her twin sister, the critically ill baby stunned her family and pediatrician with each day she survived. Her will to live spurred her family to search for a miracle.

Peyton's Airway Reconstruction Journey

March 20, 2019 – Peyton was born with a congenital heart defect that led her to spend months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Like many infants who are born premature and with congenital health issues, Peyton had to undergo a tracheostomy to help her breathe and eat. Thanks to advances in medicine, Peyton recently underwent airway reconstruction surgery, performed by pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Brian Ho, and can now breathe on her own.

Willow's Journey to a Healthy Heart

February 21, 2019 – Hearing about any type of unexpected diagnosis can be incredibly overwhelming for parents, let alone an unusual or rare abnormality like a tumor in their child's heart.

Patient of the Month: Chad

February 05, 2019 – While on a father-son fishing trip in the Florida Keys, Chad, 3, was playing and swinging from the rope of a nautical wood pole when the 200-pound object came crashing down onto his chest, sending him into a state of cardiac arrest.

A Child's Journey: Olivia's Story

February 04, 2019 – Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect, her first open heart surgery was scheduled just days after she took her first breath. Olivia's parents placed their trust in the hands of The Heart Institute at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

Patient of the Month: Layla

January 02, 2019 – When Layla was 5, she came to Nicklaus Children's Hospital with a severe case of scoliosis. To help straighten her spine, Layla spent time in halo gravity traction. While her mom returned home to Gainesville for work and school, the nurses at Nicklaus Children's took care of Layla, acting as substitute mothers and making sure she was well cared for.

Patient of the Month: Charlie

December 03, 2018 – After surviving a high-risk pregnancy with a set of twins, the Strombom’s were faced with yet another complication. Their third child, an unborn baby named Charlie, was diagnosed with a congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) and underwent two in utero interventions to allow for a full and healthy gestation period. Once delivered, the LifeFlight team from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was on stand-by to transport Charlie from West Palm Beach to Miami.

Logan's Journey with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

November 30, 2018 – Logan Perry was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a rare birth defect in which the diaphragm does not develop properly. Thanks to the experts at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Logan had corrective surgery and is developing into a rambunctious toddler.

Patient of the Month: Gabriela

October 01, 2018 – Following an emergency C-section, Gabriela’s mother, Katherine, was shocked to see that her new baby was missing part of her face. Gabriela was born with a cleft lip and palate. Katherine researched for hours to find the best doctors to fix her daughter’s condition and came upon the craniofacial team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Bianca’s Journey to Being Pain Free

September 24, 2018 – Bianca suffered from pain and a severe bowleg deformity for many years as a result of Blount’s disease, a growth disorder that affects the bones in children and young adults.

Oscar Uses His Experience to Help Others Prevent Pain

September 21, 2018 – Oscar, 20, was born with Sickle Cell Disease, a condition that affects red blood cells (sickle cell anemia) and blockage of blood flow causing pain. The pain is often so severe; patients suffer painful bouts known as sickle cell crisis and often require hospitalization.

Mason's Story: Nicklaus Children's Makes the Difference for Child with Traumatic Brain Injury

September 21, 2018 – Seeing a baby boy intubated, hooked up to a maze of machines, and with IV pumps snaking out of his tiny arms is an incredibly heartbreaking and terrifying experience. The Nicklaus Children’s staff was not only caring and friendly, but knowledgeable and explained everything to us in detail. Meeting the neurosurgery team brought us great comfort because they were confident and calm—they won our trust immediately.

Infant flown from Puerto Rico days after Hurricane Maria for Lifesaving Surgery

September 19, 2018 – Naialee Perez had just given birth to her first child, a baby boy named Liam, when a category five hurricane was making its way towards her hometown in the island of Puerto Rico. Liam was on a ventilator and undergoing treatment for a congenital heart defect in Hospital del Niño in San Juan while those on the island prepared for what would become one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in its history.

Patient of the Month: Mateo

September 04, 2018 – When Mateo was just two years old, his parents were shocked to discover that their toddler developed leukemia. They met with the hematology and oncology specialists at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and began a treatment protocol that brought Mateo back to health—along with some entertainment from his spirited little sister! Mateo, now 10, is a healthy, typical kid who loves running around with his friends.