Our patients' stories

Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: Nadia’s Story
Open heart surgery helped Nadia thrive. She gained 4 pounds and a ton of energy. Her mom's biggest concern was that her daughter was doing too much post-surgery.

Tetralogy of Fallot: Cooper's Story
Two-year-old Cooper had overcome open heart surgery, angioplasty and more, but he wasn't talking much and that concerned his parents.

Expert Care, from Birth through Adulthood: Erin’s Story
To 22-year-old Erin, her numerous scars are powerful reminders of all she's overcome since being diagnosed with congenital heart disease as a baby.

Never-Before-Seen Disease: Elijah’s story
In unlocking the key to Elijah’s mystery illness, CHOP doctors identified a new autoimmune disease and developed a customized plan to treat his disorder.

Gastroschisis in a Twin Pregnancy: Chelsea’s Story
Read about 2-year-old Chelsea’s journey from prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis, to surgery, recovery in the N/IICU, and clean bill of health.

Timing and Teamwork for Hepatoblastoma Therapy: Harry’s Story
Harry was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in his home country of Panama and traveled to CHOP for a life-saving treatment.

An Augmentative and Alternative Communication System: Dino’s Story
Leigh syndrome took away Dino’s speech, but not his voice. With CHOP’s help, he found the perfect AAC device and now “speaks” easily with family, professors and friends.

B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Keira’s Story
A year and a half following her B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis, Keira, 9, is singing, dancing and playing sports.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Kayla’s Story
Kayla’s experience with cancer treatment is influencing her future choices — she wants to become a child life specialist.

Rhabdomyosarcoma: Kaitlyn’s Story
Kaitlyn lights up the room with her smile and emanates positivity, despite her battle with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Jack’s Story
After a devastating leukemia diagnosis, Jack’s genetic test came back with some reassuring results.

Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome and Spina Bifida: Landon’s Story
Landon's life has been transformed after his VEPTR surgery. His lung function has improved; he has enough energy to explore his surroundings,

Amputated Hands and Feet: Chase's Story
Because of a life-threatening infection, Chase’s hands and feet were amputated when he was 3. Today he’s playing soccer and learning to play the drums.

Crohn's Disease Second Opinion: Emily's Story
Emily has passions for basketball and softball. She excels at sports while managing Crohn’s disease with the help of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Hudson’s Story: Pull-through Procedure for Hirschsprung’s Disease
After a healthy start, Hudson hit an obstacle when diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease. With surgery and bowel management strategies, he’s doing well.

Bracing for early-onset scoliosis: Annie’s story
Bracing has helped decrease the curvature in Annie's spine from scoliosis and delay surgical intervention.
Brandon’s Story: Limb Amputation after a Traumatic Injury
Despite efforts to save his toes, Brandon required an amputation. With help from experts at CHOP, he’s back playing his favorite sports.

Skylar’s story: Surgical correction of congenital radioulnar synostosis
An argument over body lotion led to a startling discovery, a rare diagnosis, and improved function for Skylar.

RLN Reinnervation: Kayla’s ‘Anything but Ordinary’ Story
The Pediatric Voice Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia helped Kayla strengthen her voice, and she’s putting it to good use: promoting her own book.

Celiac Disease: Grant and Shane's Story
A health scare for 3-year-old Grant led to an unexpected diagnosis for him and his 5-year-old brother Shane: celiac disease.