10-year-old Kieva has faced many challenges in her young life. At the age of 3, she was diagnosed with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), a condition that brought frequent UTIs and fevers.
Kieva’s journey with VUR began after a series of high fevers and recurring UTIs left her parents, Tara and Tim, searching for answers. “The constant worry about whether a fever was another UTI and the potential damage being done to Kieva was overwhelming,” shares Tara, Kieva’s mom. “Each instance left us questioning if we had sought medical help in time and how this condition might impact her future.” Kieva’s condition led them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, where they found the care and support they needed.
Referred by Kieva’s primary care doctors at Nemours Children’s Health, Media, the family met with Dr. Figueroa, who quickly became a pillar of Kieva’s care. From the very first visit, Tara knew they were in good hands. “Dr. Figueroa was exceptionally responsive and attentive, always considering Kieva’s mental and physical well-being when planning the next steps,” Tara shares.
With the guidance of Dr. Figueroa, it became clear that Kieva would need surgery. However, as Kieva discovered her passion for Irish dance and quickly excelled—reaching the highest level, the Open Championship, within just three years—the thought of missing practice and competitions weighed heavily on her. Combined with the COVID-19 pandemic and her growing anxiety around the surgery, the decision was made to delay until she felt fully ready. Throughout this time, the care team at Nemours Children’s remained committed to supporting both her health and her passion.
Dr. Figueroa, in consultation with Dr. Jennifer Hagerty, proposed a robotic surgery option instead, which would significantly reduce Kieva’s recovery time. Although initially nervous about meeting Dr. Hagerty, Kieva’s fears quickly subsided. “Dr. Hagerty’s warmth and assurance made us feel at ease,” says Tara. “She explained the procedure and assured Kieva that she could dance again within a week if she felt good enough. This was a turning point for Kieva, and we scheduled the robotic ureteral reimplantation for the end of March 2024. On the day of the surgery, the entire team reassured us, and Dr. Hagerty even made special bandages with Celtic knots for Kieva. This motivated Kieva to rest and recover quickly, allowing her to return to the dance floor within a week and prepare for the North American Championship.”
Kieva’s hard work and dedication to recovery paid off when, on July 3, 2024, she qualified for the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland—a dream she had nurtured since she first started dancing. “Experiencing this milestone without the worries of VUR has been a tremendous relief and blessing, thanks to the exceptional care we received,” says Tara.
As they prepare for the World Championships in April, Tara, Tim, and Kieva look to the future with hope and excitement. With just one more scan in October, they are optimistic that Kieva will be discharged from pediatric urology, marking the end of a chapter, and a new beginning. To other parents navigating a similar path, Tara offers this advice: “Stay positive, trust your medical team, and allow your child to express their feelings and anxieties. Engage them in activities they love to help them cope and recover. The support and expertise at Nemours have been invaluable, and we are immensely grateful for their care.”
