Patient Stories

When Your Child’s Life is in Someone Else’s Hands: The Williamses Put Their Trust in Seattle Children’s Surgical Team

Seattle Children’s surgeons have a unique level of expertise removing solid tumors from children with neuroblastoma. Thanks to expert surgeons, Isaac's tumor was removed and he lives a healthy and happy life today. Read the story.

How Seattle Children’s Turned One Family’s Devastation Into Hope

Diagnosed with a congnital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) at 19 weeks pregnat, the Fannin family cannot imagine their life without their spunky and vibrant daughter Summer. Seattle Children’s providers have cared for hundreds of infants with a CDH, and our pediatric surgery team is one of the most experienced in the nation. With such unique expertise, we have one of the highest survival rates in the nation for children born with a CDH. Read the story.

Twin Holds on to Life to Celebrate First Birthday with Sister

Born with a rare condition called OEIS syndrome, also known as cloacal exstrophy, Amani Jackson reunites with her twin sister on their first birthday. Read the story.

Teen With Melanoma Gets Back to Doing What She Loves

Follow-up care at our Tri-Cities location means Ruth and her family can focus on life again. Read the story.

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. Read the story.

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. Read the story.

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. Read more.

Life After Omphalocele: Onora’s Story

Born with organs on the outside, Onora is now a happy, healthy toddler. Read the story.

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. Read the story

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. Read the full story.

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.
Read the full story