The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
When Lily, a bubbly 3-year-old girl with a bright smile, was first diagnosed with cancer, her parents’ world came crashing down. They had no idea that their vibrant little girl, who loved to play, laugh, and dance, would face the unimaginable. One ordinary day turned into a nightmare when Lily was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. What was supposed to be a simple doctor’s visit to check on her persistent fatigue and pale skin turned into a whirlwind of doctors, tests, and heart-wrenching news. Lily’s diagnosis was severe, and the road ahead would be long and filled with unknowns.
But Lily’s parents, Mark and Sarah, vowed that they would fight for her every step of the way. They held on to each other tightly and found strength in their love for their daughter. They knew this was a fight no family should have to endure, but they also knew they wouldn’t be alone. They had the support of their family, friends, and an incredible team of doctors who would fight alongside them.
The First Day of Treatment
The first round of chemotherapy was hard. Lily was so small, and the treatment left her weak, unable to eat, and often vomiting from the side effects. Mark and Sarah held her hand, trying to comfort her, but there was so little they could do. Watching their little girl go through such pain and exhaustion broke their hearts.
Despite the hardships, Lily kept her spirit strong. She smiled through her tears, finding joy in the little things like her favorite stuffed animal and the simple act of her parents holding her hand. When the nurses would come into her room, they’d say, “Lily, you’re such a brave girl,” and she would beam at them, her courage shining through despite the odds. Her parents, who had no choice but to hold their tears back, found hope in her strength.
The Hospital Routine: 9 Long Months
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Lily’s life became a blur of hospital rooms, endless treatments, and constant monitoring. Her once bright eyes became dull from the medications, but she never lost her will to smile. Every day was a new battle for her little body, but she kept fighting.
For 9 long months, Lily and her parents lived in the hospital. It wasn’t easy. There were days when it seemed like the world was too heavy for such small shoulders, but Lily was determined to survive. The doctors kept pushing forward with treatment plans and therapies, hoping to shrink the tumors that had invaded her body.
Mark and Sarah spent sleepless nights at Lily’s bedside, always whispering words of encouragement. They saw their daughter’s resilience and couldn’t help but be inspired by her bravery. There were days when they thought they might lose her, but Lily’s spirit never wavered. Her laughter, though quieter now, still filled the room, and her infectious smile was the beacon of light in the darkest of moments.
Through every round of chemotherapy, every painful procedure, Lily’s strength amazed everyone around her. The nurses, doctors, and even the other children in the hospital couldn’t help but be touched by her fighting spirit. She was no longer just a patient – she became a symbol of hope. A three-year-old girl who faced more than most adults would ever have to experience was showing them the true meaning of resilience.
Lily’s parents knew that even though the medical equipment and medications were helping, it was their daughter’s willpower that was making the difference. She was a fighter, and that made all the difference. Every step of the way, she proved that no matter how small someone might be, they could face the biggest of challenges.
The Long-Awaited Moment: Cancer-Free
After 9 long months in the hospital, the day finally came when Lily’s doctors had the news her parents had been praying for. The scans showed that the cancer was gone. Lily was officially cancer-free. It felt like a dream come true. The tears of joy and relief flooded Mark and Sarah’s faces as they held their daughter in their arms, knowing that this was the moment they had been waiting for.
The hospital staff cheered as they watched Lily take her first steps out of the room she had called home for the past several months. The little girl who had been so fragile was now walking tall, her tiny hand in her parents’ hands, the smile back on her face. The long journey was finally over.
For Mark and Sarah, this victory was hard-earned. They had faced every possible obstacle, watched their daughter suffer, and seen her fight every step of the way. The pain, the uncertainty, the exhaustion – it all melted away in that moment. Lily had triumphed over cancer, and so had they.
Life After Cancer
Even though Lily was cancer-free, the road ahead was still full of challenges. There were follow-up treatments, therapies, and check-ups to ensure her body stayed healthy, but for the first time in months, there was hope. They could finally imagine a future beyond the hospital walls, a future filled with normal days of playing, laughing, and living.
Lily’s family couldn’t wait to take her back to her favorite places, show her the world outside the hospital, and let her experience the simple joys of childhood again. The fear that had gripped their hearts for so long slowly began to ease, replaced by the promise of brighter days ahead.
The Power of Love and Hope
Lily’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It shows that even in the most difficult times, there is always hope, always a chance for healing, and always the power of love to guide us through. Mark and Sarah learned that life could be uncertain and fragile, but love was the one constant they could rely on. And as they watched their daughter smile once again, they knew that no matter what life threw their way, they would always have each other.
Lily’s journey isn’t just about surviving cancer; it’s about embracing life, holding on to hope, and never giving up, no matter how tough the battle may seem. She may only be 3 years old, but her courage has inspired countless people. She’s taught her family, her doctors, and her community the true meaning of strength.
A New Beginning
The road to recovery was long, but for Lily, it was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life. The little girl who had fought so bravely had finally won, and now, with her family by her side, she could begin living the life she was always meant to live. The hospital doors were now behind her, and ahead lay a world full of possibilities.
Lily’s story reminds us all that even in the darkest times, there is always a reason to smile, always a reason to hope. And for that little girl, who had faced the biggest battle of her life, her journey was only just beginning. The best was yet to come.
Navigating Complex Urologic Care: A Family’s Journey
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, but everyone assured me, ‘No, this is your baby. You need to go to the experts.’ And so, we did. We made the appointment, and I was happy that we got in right away. I thought it would take months upon months, but we were able to be seen within a couple weeks of our first phone call.”
Upon arriving at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, the facility became more than just a place of treatment for the Hoellers; it has become a second home. “It feels like they’re our second family, especially Dr. Hagerty and the whole urology department,” shares Brittany. Over a decade of frequent visits, the family has grown alongside the staff, and the staff has grown with them. There was a time when they were making trips to Nemours as often as twice a week, which allowed them to form deep bonds with the medical team. One of their most cherished memories was when the entire staff called to sing “Happy Birthday” to Abigail. The genuine care and attention in that phone call brought a smile to Abigail’s face as she recognized the voices of her favorite doctors and nurses singing to her.
Abigail’s journey at Nemours has been marked by a series of innovative treatments. Her first surgery, a tethered cord release, was a collaborative effort between Dr. Hagerty and the division of neurosurgery. The hope was that releasing the nerves would improve her bladder function, but unfortunately, it did not yield the desired results. Undeterred, Dr. Hagerty and her team explored other options, including Botox injections, followed by biofeedback therapy. When Abigail was in first grade, Dr. Hagerty attended a conference where she learned about Sacral Neuromodulation, which is an implant likened to a pacemaker for your bladder. Despite the procedure not being commonly performed on children at the time, Dr. Hagerty was determined to not give up. “She told us, ‘They’re not doing it commonly on children yet. But, I know the woman who is doing it on adults. If I can talk with her, and if you’re okay with it, Abigail could be one of the first children at Nemours to receive this device.’ And we said absolutely,” Brittany recalls. The surgery was a success, and since then, Abigail has seen a significant reduction in urinary tract infections, a change that has been life-changing for the entire family.
Their younger daughter, Vivian, faced a similar but equally challenging diagnosis. She was found to have an overactive bladder. Like Abigail, Vivian’s symptoms became evident when she was having increasing trouble getting to the bathroom in time.
Vivian’s experience at Nemours has been equally impactful, though different in nature. Before becoming a patient of Dr. Hagerty’s, Vivian was diagnosed with transient erythroblastopenia, a rare condition that affects the regeneration of red blood cells. When Vivian was about a year and a half, the family brought her to Nemours for her care. Brittany remembers an extraordinary gesture from Dr. Hagerty during this time, “She somehow found out we were there, and even though Vivian wasn’t her patient yet, she came to visit us,” says Brittany. “Because of the condition, anyone entering our room had to wear a full hazmat suit. Dr. Hagerty, at the end of her long shift and after performing surgeries, got into all that garb just to come see Abigail’s baby sister. Talk about going above and beyond.”
Vivian’s care has primarily involved behavioral modifications and medications, and she is currently on her second round. This treatment has been remarkably effective, allowing her to control her overactive bladder and even make it through the night without needing to use the bathroom. “The medications have been life-changing for her,” Brittany shares. Vivian has also seen significant improvements in her ability to manage her bladder in the classroom, a crucial step in her development and daily life.
The Hoellers’ relationship with Dr. Hagerty and the Nemours staff has been a cornerstone of their medical journey. Dr. Hagerty has been a constant presence, offering support and innovative solutions. “She has grown up with us,” Brittany reflects. “She watched me through the pregnancy with Vivian, and when Vivian started having complications, she was there immediately. It turned from appointments for one kid to two kids at once, and the whole staff is so accommodating. They understand that I’ve got two kids, so they make all of our appointments back-to-back to avoid multiple trips.” This level of care and understanding has not only made their visits more manageable but has also provided a sense of comfort.
As they look toward the future, for Abigail, the next significant milestone is the replacement of her InterStim implant, which is not due for several years. “The battery life on the InterStim up to 15 years, and we’re just one year into her current implant,” Brittany explains. “It’s been truly exciting to see how the technology and science have advanced over the years.”
Vivian’s ongoing care involves regular monitoring and adjustments to her treatment plan. “Vivian has a Uroflow test every six months with Dr. Hagerty,” Brittany notes. “These check-ups help us keep a close eye on her bladder capacity, how much she can hold, and whether she can fully empty her bladder when she goes to the bathroom. We’re constantly collaborating with the team to ensure that Vivian’s progress is on track and that any necessary changes are made.”
Navigating the complexities of urological complications can often be an overwhelming experience for families. Brittany, who has been through this journey with both her daughters, offers this advice to others in similar situations, “Trust the process. It can be incredibly challenging, especially in the early stages when you’re waiting for a diagnosis and trying to understand the next steps. But it’s crucial to have faith in your care team. They are dedicated to your child’s well-being and are there to guide you through the healing process, not to cause harm. It’s okay to lean on the knowledge and expertise of the professionals at Nemours. We are Nemours proud, all the way.”
The Hoellers’ experience at Nemours Children’s is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to holistic, patient-centered care, ensuring that both Abigail and Vivian receive the support they need to thrive.
