Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery
Patient Stories
Born with CDH, Matthew Rises Up for a Brighter Future
When he was just 1 month old, surgeons used a special patch to mend his diaphragm. Now 9 years old, Matthew is thriving – and giving back.
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Bouncing Back From Overwhelming Odds After Surgery in NICU
During Oliver’s early days in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), doctors performed lifesaving surgery. A month later, he went home.
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Breathing – and Eating – Easily
During his early years, Emmett had trouble swallowing and often sucked food and fluid into his lungs. The search for a diagnosis led his family to Seattle Children’s. After surgery on his voice box, Emmett can eat normally instead of using a feeding tube. Read this family's story.
Girl Born With Liver Outside Body Thrives as a Champion Gymnast
Before she was born, Kendall was diagnosed with giant omphalocele, a defect in the wall of her belly. As a baby she had surgery at Seattle Children’s. Now 14 years old, she thrives as an award-winning gymnast.
Read her story.
Top 10 Questions Kids Ask Before Surgery
Dr. Patrick Javid, a pediatric surgeon at Seattle Children’s, answers some of the questions that patients and families ask before surgery.
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Life After Omphalocele: Onora’s Story
Born with organs on the outside, Onora is now a happy, healthy toddler.
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Diagnosed Before Birth, Baby With CDH Is Now a Healthy Toddler
Alden’s family chose Seattle Children’s for his care when an ultrasound during pregnancy showed a hole in his diaphragm.
Read Alden’s story.
“I Never Thought I Could Feel Healthy, But I Do”
Elizabeth lives life her way, despite inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), thanks to newer medicines and surgery to remove 3 feet of her colon.
Read Elizabeth’s story.
Conjoined Twin Treated at Seattle Children’s Says “Thank You” to Russell Wilson
Born a conjoined twin in 1992, Kevin Mick had at least 20 surgeries at Seattle Children’s. Now living a healthy, active life, he recalls the value of celebrity visits to the hospital.
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Baby Born With CDH Stars in Diaper Dash
Days after birth, Nolan had surgery to fix a hole in his diaphragm (congenital diaphragmatic hernia or CDH). To help raise awareness of CDH, his family entered the healthy toddler in the Disneyland Diaper Dash.
Watch the video.
Surgeon Customizes Bandages to Comfort and Cheer Kids
No kid wants to have an operation. Dr. Kim Riehle makes custom bandages to ease the experience for kids and their families.
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Improving Outcomes for Kids and Families
Dr. Kim Riehle’s research is setting the stage for new ways to fight liver failure. Read how she and 3 other surgeons are making advances in the lab and in the operating room.
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Bowel Transplant Ends Lifelong IV Feedings for 3-Year-Old
Born with intestines that were not fully formed, Destiny received a small bowel transplant at age 3. Before her transplant, a new form of intravenous (IV) feeding helped prevent liver failure – and avoid the need for a liver transplant as well.
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Weighing the Options – and Sometimes Setting Aside Scalpels
We are experts at surgery, but a different treatment may be better. More than 40% of the kids we see go home without needing an operation.
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Contact Us
Contact our General and Thoracic Surgery Department at 206-987-2794 for an appointment, a second opinion or more information.
To make an appointment, you can call us directly or get a referral from your child’s primary care provider. We encourage you to coordinate with your pediatrician or family doctor when coming to Seattle Children’s.
We see patients in clinic in Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way, Seattle and Tri-Cities.
Providers, see how to refer a patient.