ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Gastroenterology

What began as an upset stomach evolved into a journey with Crohn’s Disease for Nemours Children’s patient, Alejandra. “It all started with an upset stomach that continued over time, immediately after eating, at the age of 8,” shares Alejandra. The persistent discomfort became a daily challenge that began to affect her quality of life. “Physical activities also had to be reduced, including physical education (PE), as performance declined considerably. Psychological aspects also erupted, with certain levels of anxiety.” From the moment they walked through the doors of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Alejandra and her family found themselves in capable hands, guided by a team of dedicated specialists. After the family’s recent move from Miami, they were diligent in their search for the best possible care for Alejandra. Their research led them to Dr. Pablo Palomo and the gastroenterology team at Nemours. The journey to a diagnosis was not straightforward. It […]

At the age of 17, Kagan’s life took an unexpected turn when the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis manifested, leading her to the care of Nemours Children’s Health. Kagan’s diagnosis unfolded in early October 2021, just two months into her senior year of high school. Suffering from months of severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, rapid weight loss, vomiting, and more, Kagan’s health was severely affected. She was scheduled for a colonoscopy to address her symptoms, but upon having labs done in the preparation room, it was discovered that she was too iron deficient anemic to have the procedure. Kagan was then hospitalized at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. There, her care team from Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville diagnosed her with Ulcerative Pancolitis and she was scheduled to receive blood transfusions, later have a colonoscopy, and develop a treatment plan once. Overall, this resulted in a 9-day hospital stay. Before making that long trip […]

Jessica, 12-year-old Billy’s mother, recalls the summer of 2022 when they noticed something unusual during their family getaway. “While on vacation, we discovered he had an anal fistula,” she recounts. In April of the following year, Billy experienced his first flare-up, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Located in their hometown, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida became a regular visit for Jessica and Billy. “We have lived in Lake Nona for over 11 years,” says Jessica, so they were already familiar with the Nemours Children’s location. From the moment they stepped through the doors, they were greeted by a team of dedicated professionals led by gastroenterologist Dr. Pablo Palomo. Reflecting on their experiences with the Nemours team, Jessica highlights the genuine care and compassion in each interaction. “Billy’s liked everyone he’s ever interacted with,” says Jessica. “My favorite thing about them is how special they make me feel, even […]

Kevin’s healthcare journey began at just three months old when he was diagnosed with Neuronal Migration, Microcephaly, and Differentiation Muscular Hypertonicity. This diagnosis marked the beginning of a new chapter for Kevin and his family, as they worked through the complexities of his condition. Prior to finding care at Nemours, Kevin’s diagnosis affected every aspect of daily life. His mother describes a relentless cycle of hospital visits and treatments. “He missed lots of school, and family trips,” says Kevin’s mom. “We would wake up 7-10 times a night, he would never sleep because of pain and so much more.” However, hope and new experiences emerged when Kevin’s family discovered Nemours in November of 2023. After months of research, they made the life-changing decision to seek care at Nemours, leaving behind their home in Michigan in pursuit of care for Kevin. From the moment they stepped through the doors of Nemours, […]

On this Doctors’ Day, Nemours Children’s Health spotlights one of its esteemed physicians, Dr. Richard H. Sandler. Dr. Sandler is a physician in the Gastroenterology department at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. His journey to becoming a doctor was inspired by a love for science, problem-solving, and a deep-rooted desire to help people. After majoring in nuclear engineering in college, he took a detour to work for the US Senate Environment Subcommittee. Here, his passion for making an impact on people’s lives became evident. In 1975, the realization that medicine was the perfect fit set him on a path he remains grateful for every day. Recruited in 2011 to build the GI division and pediatrics department at the new Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Dr. Sandler developed a connection with the institution and his colleagues. For him, the heart of Nemours lies in the caring, smart, hardworking, and devoted community of doctors […]

Contributed by Darcy Galnor, whose daughter is a patient of Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville. The morning our daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease started like any other. We woke up as just a regular young(ish) couple with two kids, jobs and life’s typical stressors. (I guess maybe not entirely typical, unless taking our 5-year-old daughter for a colonoscopy is considered an everyday event). We’d been chasing the cause of her diarrhea for months, maybe even years. Dairy? Nope. Gluten? Nope. Strawberries (her favorite food)? Nope. As we sat in the waiting room, anxiously watching for the doctor to tell us the results, we attempted to distract ourselves with work. Both of us had tablets rested on our thighs, cell phones on the arms of our chaisr. My husband downing coffee. Me biting my nails. Then, the doctor appeared. “She has inflammation throughout most of her GI tract. We’ll wait […]