Our patients' stories

ENT Surgery at the Middleman Family Pavilion: Carter’s Story
After multiple failed hearing tests, 6-month-old Carter needed ear tube surgery. His family found the expert ENT care they needed conveniently close to home.

Coming Back After Concussion: Max’s Story
Teen makes full recovery after concussion, thanks to supportive care and innovative approach at CHOP.

Trisomy 21: Bryant’s Story
A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryant’s family received a wake-up call from the staff at the Trisomy 21 Program. Instead of steadily improving since his last visit, Bryant’s behavior had become troublesome, he’d gained a significant amount of weight and his blood work was concerning.

Desmoid Tumor: Vaida’s Story
Vaida’s tumor is in her cheek, a rare location for a desmoid tumor. After surgery at CHOP, this 2-year-old has retained an impressive amount of facial muscle function.

Esofagitis eosinofílica: La historia de Princess
Hace años que Princess lucha contra una enfermedad inflamatoria del esófago poco frecuente. Gracias a CHOP, un nuevo medicamento y el apoyo de su familia, ahora está mejorando.

EDEM3-CDG: Austin, Savannah and Lily’s story
Mysterious symptoms in one family’s three children leads to identification at CHOP of a new form of congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG).

Autism, Language Disorder, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Julian’s Story
Because Julian is nonspeaking, he needed communication device — and the patient coaching from a speech-language pathologist — to open up his world.

Coming Full Circle: MarlaJan’s Story
From a tetralogy of Fallot patient to a Cardiac Center nurse, MarlaJan’s heart journey has made her an advocate for children with CHD.

Pulmonary Heart Valve Replacement as an Adult: Russell’s Story
When a 49-year-old TOF patient needed a pulmonary valve replacement, the Topolewski Pediatric Heart Valve Center offered a minimally invasive solution.

Papillary Thyroid Cancer Second Opinion: Rowan’s Story
After Rowan was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, she was treated with precision medicine at CHOP by experts in pediatric thyroid issues and rare pediatric cancers.

Chronic Lung Disease: Ethan’s Story
While doctors at CHOP helped Ethan’s premature lungs develop, other staff helped his family manage the stress of having a sick newborn.

WAGR Syndrome: Miranda’s Story
CHOP researchers have published the most comprehensive description of WAGR syndrome, which affects less than 450 people worldwide, including Miranda.

A Dream Fulfilled: From Surgery as a Newborn to a Nurse in the ICU
Abby underwent surgery to remove a lung lesion at CHOP in her first few days of life and is now, 26 years later, a nurse in the Hospital’s ICU.

Double Lung Transplant: Marcellius’s Story
As a toddler with lung disease, Marcellius was given five years to live. A double lung transplant at CHOP saved him, and he’s now a young adult.

Living an Active Lifestyle After Scoliosis Surgery: Kristi’s Story
Scoliosis surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia allowed Kristi to keep up her active lifestyle in ways she never thought possible.

The Story of Addy and Lily: Birth and Separation of Conjoined Twins
It took an incredible team effort by experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to separate conjoined twins and get them home to Chicago for Christmas.

High-risk Neuroblastoma: Nicholas’s Story
When Nicholas was in the hospital being treated for cancer, watching a construction site outside his window helped keep his spirits up.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Princess’ story
Princess has struggled for years with a rare inflammatory condition of the esophagus. Thanks to CHOP, a new medication and family support, she’s now thriving.

Hyperinsulinism and Kabuki syndrome: Amelia’s story
A diagnosis of Kabuki syndrome connected all of Amelia’s symptoms, and CHOP has experts to care for each and every condition.

Omphalocele Discovered During Pregnancy: Grace’s Story
At CHOP, when pediatric surgeons perform postnatal repair of omphalocele, a child’s health and quality of life are both top of mind.