On the second day after Nello’s birth, a doctor, in the hospital, initially diagnosed him with hemihypertrophy. However, due to additional side effects associated with the condition, we understood that further testing would be necessary to confirm and fully understand his diagnosis.
Prior to receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, we found ourselves frequently visiting doctors to rule out potential diagnoses and ultimately determine the full scope of his medical condition.
We discovered Nemours Children’s because someone recommended Dr. Thacker, an orthopedic doctor, and we made an appointment immediately. For 14 years, Dr. Thacker has been our trusted physician. His charismatic personality, exceptional bedside manner, and genuine empathy create a uniquely comforting patient experience. During appointments, I never feel rushed; instead, he makes me feel like the most important patient of the day. Our first visit to Nemours immediately impressed us with its efficient and organized environment. The clinicians consistently demonstrate professionalism and kindness, always greeting us with genuine smiles and a helpful attitude. Nello’s surgeries at Nemours were models of seamless medical care. From the initial scheduling call through the procedure day, every interaction was marked by warmth and professionalism. The front desk staff was welcoming, and the pre-op medical team was exceptionally supportive, always ready to address our needs with friendliness and compassion.
Despite Nello’s leg length discrepancy, he has been a stellar athlete who runs, jumps, sprints, tackles, and falls just like any other active boy. His condition has never held him back from anything he wanted to do. While surgeries presented temporary setbacks, over the years we learned to plan them strategically, helping us return to normal activities quickly. In December 2024, Nello had surgery to place hardware both outside and inside his knee to stunt the growth plate. When we discovered that one of the plates and screws were causing his leg to bow inward, we had that hardware removed, hoping his leg will straighten naturally during his remaining growth years. While we are optimistic this could be his final surgery, we trust that if additional procedures are needed, Dr. Thacker will develop the right plan to achieve the best outcome for my son.
Nello has had seven surgeries with Dr. Thacker, and all his recoveries went smoothly. As we experienced more surgeries, the recovery process became easier. When Nello had a problem with anesthesia during his first surgery, the anesthesiologist adjusted the medication for his second surgery, and we had no problems from then on. It was very comforting to know that I could always reach out to triage or call the 24-hour phone number if I had any questions. To parents facing similar medical challenges, my most valuable advice is this: Resist the urge to compare your child’s journey with others. Every medical path is inherently unique, and dwelling on potential complications experienced by someone else serves no productive purpose. Instead, maintain an unwavering focus on your child’s individual needs. When obstacles arise-and they inevitably will-approach them with flexibility and creativity. Our approach has always been to adapt, pivot, and develop new strategies as circumstances evolve. By remaining resilient and solution-oriented, we’ve transformed challenges into opportunities for growth and progress. Remember, your love, dedication, and willingness to adjust are your child’s most powerful resources.
