At 13 years old, Maddie Walsh was diagnosed with melanoma. This unexpected turn led her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, where she found a supportive community that became like family.
Maddie’s journey began with the discovery of a change in a mole she had since childhood. A dermatologist family member recognized the signs and urged her to seek medical attention. Following a biopsy and consultations with various pathologists, Maddie received the diagnosis of malignant melanoma from Chief of the Division of Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery, Dr. Brian Kellogg.
“I was 13 when I first heard I was going to see a plastic surgeon. I was very confused because I only knew them by the stereotypes on TV,” says Maddie. “However, I quickly learned that was far from what Dr. Kellogg and his team does. When I first heard the word ‘cancer,’ my mind jumped to the worst. I was terrified. I didn’t want anyone close to me to know how scared I was or to worry about me, so I decided to ban the c-word (cancer). I think the only person who really knew how scared I was at the time was nurse practitioner, Vanessa Fadul. She was always the one I’d talk with at appointments and was the person who sat and hugged me as I cried when I found out I had melanoma. Ever since then, she’s always been at all my appointments and has been my biggest cheerleader.”
Following two wide excision surgeries and a lymph node biopsy surgery for the melanoma, Maddie initially faced challenges in accepting her new scar. It was difficult for her to explain the situation to her classmates, leading her to often dismiss it. Over time, she has come to appreciate the scar as a symbol of her resilience. “As I’ve grown, I’ve learned how lucky I am to have a scar to prove what I overcame,” says Maddie. “I’ve also become much more comfortable talking about my experience and emphasizing the importance of sun safety to others!”
However, Maddie’s journey at Nemours Children’s didn’t end with her melanoma diagnosis. In fact, it marked the beginning of a long relationship with the Nemours team. A few years later, Maddie sought treatment for her developmental breast asymmetry, an issue that impacted her daily life. Maddie faced challenges in finding properly fitting clothing, and selecting bathing suits that wouldn’t draw attention to her condition. As an athlete involved in swimming, water polo, and lifeguarding, she felt particularly self-conscious about her appearance.
Dr. Kellogg recommended a unilateral breast reduction, a decision Maddie embraced. The results were life-changing, allowing her to embrace her body with confidence. “The difference after surgery has been incredible and I can now wear whatever I want without feeling extremely self-conscious,” says Maddie. “I’m so thankful for Dr. Kellogg and his support through everything. It took courage for me to address the issue since it was so personal in nature, but I’m so happy I did. I would encourage anyone else to if they are in the same situation!”
During this surgery, Maddie also found inspiration in Dr. Kayla McGrath, her anesthesiologist. After expressing her interests in the medical field to her, Dr. McGrath offered Maddie the opportunity to shadow her. “This meant the world to me because, since I was almost 18, I thought this surgery would be the end of my journey at Nemours,” says Maddie. “I took her up on that offer and I got to spend the day following her and the anesthesia team. It was such an impactful experience to be on the professional side of things instead of being a patient.”
As Maddie embarks on her journey to adulthood, she credits Nemours for not only providing exceptional medical care, but also for instilling in her an interest in pediatric care. Despite moving on from her pediatric providers, Maddie plans to remain connected to the Nemours family, whether as a future medical professional or through continued advocacy and support. Maddie is currently a freshman at the University of Florida majoring in Health Sciences on a pre-med track. She hopes to one day become a pediatric plastic surgeon, pediatric anesthesiologist, or pediatric emergency medicine physician, and plans to shadow Dr. Kellogg soon.
“I truly don’t know where I’d be today without Dr. Kellogg, Vanessa, and everyone at NCH. I’m not sure if he even realizes it but, Dr. Kellogg really is saving lives every day,” says Maddie. “The unknown can be scary, but having the best medical team by your side can make anything possible.”
