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“I can finally live my life, and I feel like I have a second chance.” – Kaitlyn, patient My name is Kaitlyn, I’m 17 years old and I’m a junior in high school. I found out on January 17, 2024, that I had a left aortic arch with a right aberrant subclavian artery. Before I was diagnosed, I knew from a very early age that something just wasn’t right. I would constantly have issues eating and taking medicine. I noticed that I couldn’t eat meat or any large pieces of food without feeling like it was caught in my throat. Looking back on my childhood, I always avoided the foods that made me feel that way. This caused me to develop iron-deficiency anemia. I wasn’t getting the right protein I needed, and I was constantly tired and felt worn out. I would also have palpitations to the point where it […]

For 15-year-old Bryan, his journey toward better health has been a collaborative effort powered by determination and expert care. Diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, Bryan has faced challenges his entire life, but as he’s gotten older it’s been his obesity related fatigue that has significantly affected and limited his daily activities. With the support from his family and the dedicated team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Bryan is now thriving. Bryan joined Nemours Children’s Bariatric Program in 2022 after transitioning from another hospital to be closer to home. The bariatric program is dedicated to helping teens with obesity achieve better health through expert care and support. The program specializes in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a minimally invasive weight loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach to help teens eat less and feel less hungry. As the only pediatric weight management program and hospital accredited by the Metabolic and […]

“Dr. Gannon and the whole team changed my life … Dr. Berman is incredible at what she does. She saved my life and I’m forever grateful for her.” – Jenna, patient When I was 13 years old, I went for a routine well visit. My doctor was doing an examination on my neck and noticed my thyroid felt enlarged. She sent me to get labs and an ultrasound. My labs confirmed that I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Then, we received the results from my ultrasound. It showed that I had two thyroid nodules. I had a small one on my left side, and then a bigger one on my right. The border of the nodule was irregular and calcified. This looked suspicious. I was referred to a Nemours endocrinologist, Dr. Doyle. He told my mom and I that he recommends another ultrasound and to visit another endocrinologist who specializes in treating […]

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 […]

It’s no surprise that children diagnosed with cardiac disease often experience anxiety or depression. Their caregivers may also struggle with mental health as they navigate treatment. Dr. Erica Sood and Dr. Joselyn Kenowitz, both pediatric psychologists at the Nemours Cardiac Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware emphasize the importance of providing mental health support in cardiac settings to address challenges early and prevent worsening issues. Their work highlights the need for comprehensive mental health programs  from diagnosis through young adulthood, with initiatives like HEARTPrep for prenatal support and the Milestones Program to address developmental and mental health needs. The goal is to ensure families are prepared for the mental health impacts of congenital heart disease (CHD) and have access to necessary resources. 1. How is mental health connected to cardiac care? Dr. Sood: The stress of cardiac care in the hospital and at home can affect the mental health of […]

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 […]