Brooke knows firsthand the challenges of living with back pain. As a dedicated gymnast, she had always been active and driven, but last fall, her world shifted when lingering pain from a back injury turned into something much more debilitating.
“My back pain heavily influenced my everyday life,” Brooke shared. “I had to quit gymnastics and was in pain all the time. I couldn’t go an hour without some sort of pain or ache throughout my back.”
The search for answers was anything but easy. From August to November, Brooke and her family visited multiple doctors, only to leave each appointment without a diagnosis. Their frustration continued until September, when they found Dr. Shah at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “He immediately knew what was wrong and how to address it,” shares Brooke. “No other doctor had been able to at that point.”
Dr. Shah diagnosed Brooke with spondylolysis, a condition caused by a fracture in one of the bones of the spine. After determining a treatment plan with her care team, Brooke underwent surgery in October, and her journey toward healing began.
Brooke’s experience at Nemours was a turning point. From Dr. Shah to the nurses and her physical therapist, Angie Miller, Brooke found a team that not only provided expert care but also gave her hope.
“I’ve had all great experiences with everyone who has helped me at Nemours,” Brooke says. “Dr. Shah and the nurses helped me through this tough time by providing lots of support and hope that things will get better. During the time I spent at the hospital after surgery, everyone was very optimistic and comforting. Angie, my physical therapist, worked with me before and after surgery. I knew her from previous injuries, but this was the toughest and the longest amount of time we had spent together. She was always there for me mentally to just talk, or physically to help me get better. I always loved that I never had to worry about the worst when going to appointments—everyone was so encouraging.” This supportive environment made what could have been an overwhelming process feel manageable.
For Brooke, the results of the surgery were almost immediate. “I felt so much better right away,” she shares. “The pain almost completely went away, and that gave me hope that recovery wouldn’t be as bad as I expected. I just had to put up with the brace I had to wear. Although some days are hard, I feel so much better and stronger than I did before surgery.”
Today, Brooke is stronger and more hopeful than ever. While her days as a gymnast have come to an end, she has found a new passion—diving. “After having to quit gymnastics, I was lost on another sport to try,” says Brooke. “Diving seemed like it would work as a good alternative, so I had to at least try. I’ve been diving for a few months now, and I really enjoy it!”
Brooke’s journey has taught her the power of perseverance, and she encourages others facing similar struggles to hold on to hope. “Don’t give up on yourself,” she says. “It may seem like the easy way out, but things will get better eventually with time.” Thanks to Nemours Children’s Health and her own determination, Brooke is now looking forward to a bright future, free from the pain that once held her back.
