Meet Our Patients

One morning, 17-year-old Allen awoke and opened his eyes to see two of everything. "I saw two of my mom standing beside each other by my bed. It was crazy!" Allen's mom Lydia made an appointment with an ophthalmologist who evaluated him and referred them to Nemours for an MRI. Unfortunately, doctors could see something else was going on inside of Allen—a very rare brain tumor. 

"I was so shocked and scared for my life. Everything you hear about chemotherapy is how hard it is to go through. Still, Dr. Sandler (Nemours hematologist/oncologist) made me feel so calm and confident that I would get through this," remembers Allen.

"I truly felt like I was in a safe place," says Lydia. "Dr. Sandler assured us not to worry, that Allen was going to be fine." Allen recalls, "The social worker would bring hats or blankets for me during treatment; at my check- up appointments, the music therapist would usually be in the lobby playing the most amazing songs. I would also bring music to the hospital – the nurses and I would have dance-offs."

Because of the location of his tumor, Allen required six major brain surgeries to ensure the cancer was gone. After each surgery, he worked with rehabilitation and therapy specialists to learn how to walk again and  perform basic activities like getting dressed and eating. Today, Allen still visits Nemours for follow-up care - and is now attending college

At 18-months old Caleb was on his way to becoming an active toddler. However, by his second birthday, he was paralyzed from the waist down.  It all started when his mom noticed a bump on his lower back.  Visits to his pediatrician led to X-rays and a visit to an orthopedic specialist, but neither of those clinicians provided answers.  Finally, an ultrasound identified a tumor that led the Musselwhite family to the Nemours Children's oncology team. Caleb was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma which was wrapped around his spine. He started chemotherapy the next day. By the time he finished his second treatment, Caleb's legs had stopped moving. 

"From the doctors and nurses to the social worker, everyone at Nemours helped keep the focus on Caleb. Even though the situation seemed bleak, we felt an immediate sense of confidence in the entire care team," recalls Caleb's mom Katie. 

After surgery to remove what they could of his tumor, Caleb spent a couple of months in inpatient rehab. Then, with lots of hard work and intensive outpatient and home therapy, Caleb slowly regained his ability to walk. The Nemours oncology team continues to monitor the inoperable part of his tumor, and Caleb also visits his Nemours orthopedist and urologist due to the location of his tumor.

"Having everything Caleb needs in one place is incredibly convenient," says Katie.

"To have an organization 100% focused on kids is such a gift. To visit any Nemours location or specialist and feel the same sense of confidence that every person is on the same page, of the same mindset and striving toward the same mission, gives me incredible peace of mind."

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At 2 years old, McKethan Parker was a healthy and active boy who played in the neighborhood with other kids. One night, he developed a 104.5-degree fever after complaining of a stomachache earlier in the day. His pediatrician wasn’t able to provide relief or answers, and he eventually was rushed to the ER early one morning.

McKethan’s mom, Kathy, said that in the ER, McKethan’s room was filled with many “white coats” who ran a battery of tests. After being told by his doctors that he had leukemia, McKethan’s parents were stunned. Kathy remembers thinking, “It can’t be cancer! He was just fine yesterday afternoon! He needs immediate surgery to put a port in his chest? None of this makes sense!”

Within hours of McKethan’s diagnosis, the Parker family met with the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders team and life as they knew it took a different and scary path. Outside of common chemotherapy side effects, he developed bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening infection. Despite these challenges, he enjoyed going to Nemours Children’s and even said being attached to an IV pole was fun! This is because the doctors, nurses and longtime child life specialist, Miss Joli, worked together to ensure McKethan’s emotional and mental support needs were met while he fought his battle.

The Parker family attributes McKethan’s positive treatment response to faith and the team at Nemours Children’s Health. Kathy said, “The staff knew our needs before we did and supported us along the way. Their compassion and wisdom helped us navigate so many unknowns. To say we are forever grateful to Nemours Children’s is an understatement!” 

More than 20 years after his ordeal, McKethan sees a clear thread connecting his childhood to the present. He currently is a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. The intentional and genuine care he received are the foundation of his passion for medicine. Additionally, shadowing Dr. Sandler, Chair of Pediatrics for Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, during college provided experiences with patients and parents that continued to confirm his career path. As you can see in the video, McKethan enjoys sharing the purpose developed from his pain.

Reign's mom, Elecia, recalls when her daughter was diagnosed with sickle cell disease as a baby.  "I was scared and nervous, but Nemours Children's has wiped away all of my fears.  Without her care team, Reign would not be the energetic, dancing, cart-wheeling girl she is today." Reign receives care at the NCCBD, Jacksonville. Every three months she meets with her care team, including nurses, doctors and social workers.

Families living with sickle cell disease have access to many wrapround supports both at NCCBD and in the community. One of the key community partners is Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute led by Selena Webster-Bass.

Here is a quote from Selena about the impact the Hand in Hand campaign and the resulting clinic renovation will have on Jacksonville families living with sickle cell disease such as Reign’s family. “The new home of NCCCBD, Jacksonville will treat every pediatric SCD patient in the city, a population of over 400 children. This new clinic will give more access for families that need specialized care and provide a space that is comfortable and modern. SCD patients face many obstacles throughout their lives. This new clinic will serve as a symbol of the compassion this community has for this population and the effort our community leaders are willing to exert to make their lives better.” Selena Webster-Bass, Founder and CEO of One Voice Institute & The Richard Webster-Bass Institute, Hand in Hand Fundraising Committee Member

Riley is a 12-year-old who's been through a lot in his young life. But, as we have learned during his treatment, he's a mature and astute youngster who doesn't let anything get him down. "Riley was 6 years old when he began having headaches," remembers Scott, Riley's dad. "After imaging tests and a biopsy, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor," he says.

Scott recalls how overwhelming it was at first. However, he quickly appreciated that his son's oncology team - including  doctors, nurses, a social worker and a Child Life specialist - was there for his family in different and unexpected ways.  From the start, Riley has actively participated in every visit.

"The doctors and nurses always take the time to answer his questions about equipment and treatment directly," Scott says. "Our social worker found programs that helped us quite a bit as well,".  Along with being responsive and attentive, the sheer force of Riley's care team isn't lost on Scott. ·"When you have anywhere from six to eight cancer experts at your disposal, it hits home how well your child is cared for here," he says.

Savannah's journey began two years ago when her grandma noticed Savannah's foot seemed swollen. At first, they thought it might have been a bug bite.  A couple weeks later Savannah was diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of cancer - metastatic Ewing's sarcoma.  The sarcoma was in her foot and the cancer had metastasized to her lungs. The team at the NCCBD sprang into action and immediately planned for her treatment. In addition to saving her life, Nemours doctors were determined to save her foot from amputation.

After 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 41 doses of radiation, eight doses of a clinical trial drug, and countless days and nights in and out of the hospital and clinic over two years, Savannah received the "all clear" from Nemours.

"After the end of treatment scans, we got a call from Dr. K. He said, 'Good, good and good.'  But, we already knew that." I am so grateful for his confidence that Savannah would beat cancer. It truly made a difference throughout treatment for us and her," Savannah's mom Sarah recalls .

Mirela and Nick Hadziavdic entrusted us with their 8-year-old son Sebastian when he was diagnosed with Wilms tumor. When it was discovered, the cancerous mass had grown to the size of a grapefruit in his liver.

“It was a terrifying time for all of us,” says Mirela.

Sebastian endured surgery and intensive chemotherapy on his road back to health. All along the way, the family expressed gratitude for the care and support at Nemours Children's — especially from Drs. Gauger and Joyce, as well as incredible nurses and social workers on his team.

Sebastian responded well to treatment and was soon home with his family, back to playing with his friends. But his cancer journey was not over. Three years later, he relapsed, and the Hadziavdics were back at Nemours.

Sebastian’s case is not unusual, sadly. “When I tell people Sebastian’s medical story, they sometimes express pity for our family, for what we had to endure,” says Mirela. “But I feel like we’re the luckiest family in this world. I mean it with all my heart because we come from Bosnia. Nick and I know we probably wouldn’t have our Sebastian today if we were still there because of the poor children’s health care system over there.”