For weeks, Charlize had been experiencing random high fevers, which were thought to be simple urinary tract infections (UTIs). The Berrios family, however, knew something more was going on. Concerned and persistent, they sought further testing, and Charlize’s pediatrician suggested a test for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The family was then directed to a nearby children’s hospital for testing. After a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), Charlize’s VUR was confirmed on September 11th, 2019.
Finally, there was a name for what Charlize was experiencing, but the road ahead was uncertain. Life returned to a semblance of normalcy, but her regular VCUG tests loomed large. These procedures were not only physically uncomfortable for Charlize but also emotionally taxing. Each test left her increasingly fearful of healthcare settings. Omar, Charlize’s father, found himself in a particularly difficult position. “I was often expected to hold down my own child to enable the staff to administer the procedure,” he shares. “As her father, this shattered my heart. I wanted to be there as a comforting presence, but instead, I had to look into my child’s fearful eyes as I held her fighting limbs still.” The experience was so traumatic that Charlize would go weeks fearing a diaper change from her father. Despite his trust in the healthcare team, Omar couldn’t help but wonder if there was a better way. “I thought to myself there had to be a better way, but I was told multiple times that sedation was not an option. I felt torn, wanting to trust the experts but struggling with the belief that this was the best way to treat her.”
Finding the Right Team
It was during a chance encounter that the light at the end of the tunnel finally appeared. Omar met a friend of a friend whose daughter also had VUR. Their conversation quickly turned to the challenges of managing the condition, and Omar found himself relating to the other parent’s experiences. “He told me how the same frustrations precipitated his family to switch their child’s care to Dr. Jennifer Hagerty and how wonderful their experience at Nemours Children’s was,” says Omar. “This was the alternative we’d been looking for, so we made an appointment the very next day.” The Berrios family was eager to explore the possibilities that Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware could offer, from advanced diagnostic tools to a more supportive and understanding environment.
Upon arriving at Nemours Children’s, Charlize and her family found not just a hospital, but a community of caretakers dedicated to healing and support. The difference was immediately apparent in the small but meaningful details. From the warm interactions with the staff to the patient and understanding approach of the medical professionals, every aspect of their visit put them at ease. “Dr. Hagerty was brilliant,” the Berrios family shares. “She explained things in a way that made learning intuitive and showed genuine compassion. We felt hopeful this was the change Charlize needed.”
Care that Made a Difference
The real test of this newfound hope came the day of Charlize’s first VCUG at Nemours. Given their previous traumatic experiences and Charlize’s fear of the test, the family was understandably anxious. However, Dr. Hagerty reassured them that the radiology team at Nemours could perform the test under sedation, making the experience much more manageable. “For the first time in years, I was able to hold my child’s hand in reassurance,” Omar recalls. “As she smiled at me during the test, I couldn’t help but have a smile from ear to ear in utter disbelief of how well the test was going.” The transformation was so incredible that for weeks afterward, Charlize would excitedly tell everyone about her “fun experience” at Nemours, a sentiment that her family once thought impossible.
After thorough discussions about the various options with Dr. Hagerty and the care team, the family decided to move forward with Open Ureteral Reimplantation on February 12, 2025. The surgery was a significant step in Charlize’s treatment journey, and her recovery went as expected. “After her Bilateral Open Ureteral Reimplantation, Charlize’s recovery went as smoothly as we could have hoped,” Omar shares. “As of her last visit, she seems to be fully healed from VUR. The best part is that she’s no longer under daily medication, which feels like the closing chapter on this scary time for our family.” The relief and joy this brought to the Berrios family were immeasurable, and it reinforced their belief in the exceptional care provided by Nemours Children’s.
The Berrios family is now able to look to the future with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. “With this chapter closed, we’re focused on continuing to enrich our family’s life and nurture the growth of our little ones,” they reflect. Charlize, being the oldest of their three children, is ready to embark on new milestones. “Now we get to worry about perfectly normal things like potty training, phonics, and math, and oh what a joy that is.” To families who may be navigating a similar path, the Berrios family shares this advice, “If your parental instinct is telling you ‘There has to be a better way,’ I can tell you the staff at Nemours Children’s Hospital proved to us they were the best alternative. They provided our daughter emotional care in equal regard to her health, and for that we will always be grateful.”
