ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Urology

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 […]

Dean’s parents were faced with a daunting and unexpected experience when their son was just 6 days old. “We found ourselves in the emergency room as scared, brand-new parents,” his mom, Lauren recalls. “We knew something was wrong, but our concerns were dismissed, and as a result, we were back at a different emergency room at 6 weeks old.” They felt the weight of uncertainty as they navigated the early days of Dean’s life. “We were lucky that our son’s pediatrician called the hospital to urge for an appropriate work up, which is how we received his diagnoses of severe hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux, and megaureter,” shares Lauren. After two negative experiences at different health systems early in his life, Dean’s parents knew they needed to find a place that could provide him with the best possible care. “Dean’s pediatrician and a close friend of mine, Dr. Adeline Melvin, completed her […]

Abigail and Vivian’s path to Nemours Children’s was paved by challenges, each step bringing them closer to the answers they needed. Abigail, now 15 years old, was born with a neurogenic bladder, a condition where the bladder does not function properly due to nerve damage or dysfunction. This issue became apparent when the family started potty training her. For Abigail, this meant frequent accidents, infections, and discomfort, which were distressing for her and her family. Though it seemed like a common and simple problem in a young child, her mother, Brittany, recalls, “I just felt like there was something more here. So, everyone agreed, ‘You need to go to the best children’s hospital.’” Despite initial hesitation, she knew she had to seek expert care for her daughter. “For us, driving to Nemours is about an hour and a half each way. At first, I was hesitant because of the distance, […]

At 13 years old, Vincent found himself facing a painful and unexpected health challenge. What began as a nagging low back pain quickly escalated when he noticed blood in his urine. Alarmed, his family took him to urgent care, where the initial tests confirmed the presence of blood but also revealed a more serious issue: a kidney stone. The urgent care team, recognizing the severity, referred them to the Nemours Children’s Health, Lakeland and then to the hospital in Orlando for further evaluation. “I was nervous about the wait time, but their staff worked to fit us in quickly,” says Vincent’s mom, Jessica. “From the beginning, they were responsive and attentive.” The pain Vincent was experiencing disrupted every aspect of his daily life. “He couldn’t rest, enjoy his normal activities, or even feel comfortable sitting or lying down,” Jessica explains. “It was also very stressful for me as a parent […]

When Faye was just 8 years old, a severe car accident changed her life in an instant, leading her and her family to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for critical treatment and reconstructive surgeries. The accident was a shock to Faye’s family. It quickly became clear that Faye needed specialized care, and Nemours Children’s was the place that could provide it. “We owe every single nurse, doctor, physical therapist, etc. that had a hand in her recovery,” says Faye’s mom. “From the night we came in as at emergency to the care she still receives, everything. They ensured that she was heard and supported, we were heard and supported, and she walked out of the hospital after a month of a stay.” Faye’s initial treatment was focused on stabilizing her condition and addressing the most urgent injuries. However, the road to recovery was a long one. One of the first major […]

At 19 years old, Zoey is pursuing her dream of becoming a hairstylist while managing a complex medical condition. For the past seven years, she has dealt with frequent bathroom trips, urinary retention, and persistent pelvic pain—challenges that have impacted her daily life. But through it all, she has found expert care and unwavering support at Nemours Children’s Health. Zoey’s symptoms began when she was just 13. She noticed she was using the restroom 15-30 times a day, with nights just as difficult. Despite constantly feeling like she needed to use the restroom, she was often unable to release urine. The discomfort affected her ability to focus in school, spend time with friends, and simply go about her day. “This condition has taken over the way I live,” Zoey shared. Zoey’s search for answers led her to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, where she was connected with Dr. Hagerty, a urologist […]