Patient Success Stories

In the Best Hands

After meeting 5-year-old Marco, one would never guess that he once had a tumor the size of an orange in his brain. The bustling kindergartener had surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) to remove the tumor at only 17 months of age. “I’ve read about children with brain tumors who have been left with deficits as a result of surgery. We feel fortunate that we were in the hands of the best,” said Jacqueline, Marco’s mother. Today, Marco is busy making puzzles, playing games, participating in sports and generally exceeding expectations in school.

A Mother’s Instinct

Life was not so bright for Marco's family four years ago. At eight months of age, Marco began throwing up at every meal. Physicians at several Northeastern pediatric teaching hospitals near the family’s Pennsylvania home told the family that the cause was a digestive disorder and, later, a food allergy. Doctors again assured Jacqueline that there was nothing seriously wrong with her child on Halloween 2004. That was scary news for a mother who knew that her toddler was seriously ill.

 

Fate brought them to MCH

That December, Marco and his family moved to St. Lucie West and came to Miami Children’s Hospital, where physicians quickly ordered imaging studies that revealed the large tumor. Under the care of John Ragheb, M.D., Director of Neurosurgery and the MCH Brain Institute’s world-renowned neurosurgical team, the tumor was removed and follow-up treatment by the MCH Cancer Center ensured Marco’s continued well being. “We feel so fortunate that we were in the hands of this amazing team. Thanks to Miami Children’s Hospital, Marco has an amazing future,” said Jacqueline. Miami Children’s Hospital’s neurology and neurosurgery program was ranked among the nation’s top programs in U.S. News & World Report’s 2008 listing of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.”