16-year-old Angelina started experiencing severe stomach pains and spasms, symptoms that arrived suddenly and without warning. As her discomfort grew, so did her family’s concern.
Looking for help, Angelina’s mom, Aimee, turned to the expertise of Dr. Gina Amoroso, a close family friend and a trusted pediatrician at Nemours Children’s Health. Dr. Amoroso referred them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware where they headed straight for the emergency room.
From the moment Angelina and her family stepped into Nemours Children’s, they knew they were in capable hands. Aimee recalls, “They were very concerned and diligent in helping to find the cause for her pain. They empathized and worked hard to find the root of the problem.”
After a series of tests and examinations, the team discovered Angelina had OHVIRA syndrome, a rare condition characterized by an abnormal uterus and the absence of a second kidney. This rare congenital condition often doesn’t present until after puberty and explained the intense pain she had been experiencing. It was decided that immediate surgery was necessary to address the issue.
Chief of Urology, Dr. Jennifer Hagerty and Pediatric Adolescent Gynecologist, Dr. Vrunda Patel frequently work as a team to care for these children with this rare condition as they did urgently for Angelina. “They worked together to perform the procedure to drain the collected blood in the uterus and then created an opening to prevent from this happening again,” shares Aimee. “The nurses were spectacular. They helped with her pain management and all of our emotional distress of undergoing unexpected emergency surgery. We could not have asked for better people to care for my daughter and sometimes me, her mom.” The staff ensured that Angelina was as comfortable as possible during her recovery, and they kept the family informed every step of the way.
Within just a week after her surgery, Angelina was already showing remarkable progress. “She has recovered beautifully,” says Aimee. “The pain was gone immediately after she came out of surgery which was the biggest blessing. We are so happy with the care she received and will continue to be followed by her doctors knowing that she has an abnormal uterus and an absence of a left kidney.” Dr. Hagerty shares, “What an amazing resilient girl Angelina is! Her and her family were concerned but optimistic and encouraging every step of the way.”
Moving forward, Angelina will continue to be followed by her care team, who are well-versed in her unique medical condition. She plans to be aware of her new diagnosis but not let it hold her back. Angelina is determined to continue pursuing her active everyday lifestyle and love for gymnastics. Her resilience and positive attitude are truly inspiring.
To other parents who may be facing similar decisions, Aimee offers this advice, “Get the surgery done,” she urges. “Be aware of your condition, but don’t let it stop you from living your life to the fullest. Be grateful for the surgeons who are knowledgeable in treating this condition, and trust that you are in the best place for it to be performed.”
