Dean’s parents were faced with a daunting and unexpected experience when their son was just 6 days old. “We found ourselves in the emergency room as scared, brand-new parents,” his mom, Lauren recalls. “We knew something was wrong, but our concerns were dismissed, and as a result, we were back at a different emergency room at 6 weeks old.” They felt the weight of uncertainty as they navigated the early days of Dean’s life.
“We were lucky that our son’s pediatrician called the hospital to urge for an appropriate work up, which is how we received his diagnoses of severe hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, and megaureter,” shares Lauren.
After two negative experiences at different health systems early in his life, Dean’s parents knew they needed to find a place that could provide him with the best possible care. “Dean’s pediatrician and a close friend of mine, Dr. Adeline Melvin, completed her residency at Nemours Children’s,” says Lauren. “Once we received his diagnosis at 6 weeks old, she recommended we proceed with Dean’s future care through Nemours, which my husband and I were very unfamiliar with. However, it was the best decision we could’ve made for Dean’s health!”
Dean’s experience at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware has been nothing short of transformative. At just 3 months old, Dean underwent his first significant surgery—a ureterostomy—under the expert care of Chief of Urology, Dr. Jennifer Hagerty. This procedure was crucial in managing his condition. The family’s trust in Dr. Hagerty and her team only grew stronger when Dean required a second surgery at 20 months. This time, the procedure involved a reverse ureterostomy and bladder reimplantation. “We are forever grateful for Dr. Hagerty’s expertise and brilliance,” says Lauren. “Dr. Hagerty and her team always took the time to answer our questions and would even go as far as drawing out simplified kidney diagrams so we could understand our son’s diagnosis in full.”
On the day of Dean’s second surgery, Dr. Hagerty’s attention to detail and empathy shone through. “Dr. Hagerty stopped by prior to the procedure and asked us what Dean’s interests were,” shares Lauren. “At the time, he was big into ‘wheels on the bus.’ We didn’t understand why she asked us this until after his surgery, when we saw his surgical dressing – complete with a school bus hand-drawn on top to make it look less scary. That gesture alone shows what kind of provider Dr. Hagerty is.” It wasn’t just about the surgery, it was about the entire patient family experience. This level of personalization and compassion left a lasting impression on the family.
Today, Dean is 3 years old and continuing his regular visits with Dr. Hagerty and the urology team at Nemours Children’s. “Dean has recovered quite well from his treatments during his first two years of life without significant residual issues,” Lauren reflects.
Recently, the family received news that they are expecting another son with the same kidney diagnosis as Dean. “This time around, we know exactly where we’re going from the start,” Lauren shares. The family’s experience has equipped them with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this new journey. To other parents facing similar challenges, Lauren advises, “You can’t go wrong with Nemours, an organization that is family-centered and deeply cares about the health of your child. We travel nearly four hours round-trip for appointments and hospitalizations, but with the care we continue to receive, there’s no limit on how far we’d go to bring our son to Nemours.”
