Cancer, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories, Radiothon

Radiothon: Through cancer bout, Matthew Walker hasn’t fought alone

Thirty months ago, our family woke up one Sunday morning and went swimming with our seemingly healthy 12-year-old son. Little did we know when we left our house that morning, Matthew wouldn’t return home for two weeks. From the pool he went straight to the emergency room at Fort Knox after a baseball-size lump appeared…

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Childrens Hospital Foundation, Endocrinology, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories, Radiothon

Radiothon: Oliver Thomas uses Type 1 diabetes journey to help other children

Just like any other boy his age, 9-year-old Oliver Thomas is always on the move. From fishing to swimming, riding his bike, golfing and playing baseball — he keeps busy. But Oliver, who has Type 1 diabetes, balances being an active kid with the discipline of taking responsibility for his health. Type 1 diagnosis  …

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Cancer, Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories, Teens

Nurse honors teen cancer patient with his Bronze Star and Soldier’s Medal

An old proverb advises that it’s not glittering weapons that fight the fight, but a hero’s heart. Bob Wilkinson, R.N., probably understands this better than most. A former combat soldier, Bob, 63, served in the Army for 20 years. After retiring as a first sergeant, he began a career in nursing. He has spent the…

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Neurosciences, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories

A year ago, this boy slept for 11 days — here’s how he’s doing now

Last October, Wyatt Shaw fell asleep. He didn’t wake up for nearly two weeks. Then 7 years old, Wyatt served as a ring bearer at a wedding in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He spent the evening making jokes and dancing with the girls in the bridal party. But 48 hours later, he was unable to stay awake….

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NICU, Patient Stories

PICTURES: NICU babies show off their first Halloween costumes

Pregnant or planning? Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s offer high-quality care for you and your baby. NortonBaby.com Though there won’t be any trick-or-treating, babies at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are ready for their first Halloween. Infants showed off their little costumes in front of family and friends. “Dressing babies…

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Heart, Patient Stories, Ventricular Septal Defect

Ugandan girl to return home happy and healthy after Louisville surgeons repair her heart

Two-year-old Gift Mbwali and her mother traveled more than 7,600 miles from their home in Uganda to Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the University of Louisville, where surgeons repaired a heart defect she has lived with since birth. Her family was well aware of the high stakes. Her older brother, Patrick, made the same…

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NICU, Norton Womens & Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories

NICU reunion brings together patients, caregivers who saved their lives

There were lots of hugs and smiles at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital as more than 1,000 former neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients and their families reunited with the doctors, nurses and other clinicians who cared for them during their time in the hospital. Every summer, the hospital hosts its annual NICU reunion. This…

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Childrens Hospital Foundation, Heart, Heart Transplant, Home & BMW Raffle, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories

Once too fragile for a heart transplant, young P.J. and his family look to a bright future

Philmore Jackson III, is a courageous young man whose medical journey has taken many twists and turns. By age 3, Philmore, who goes by P.J., had been near death many times. By many accounts, there wasn’t much hope for him to live to his fourth birthday. Born in 2014 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, P.J. was…

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Limb Lengthening, Norton Childrens Hospital, Orthopedics, Patient Stories

After 36 surgeries, 20-year-old reaches medical milestone

Jerren Harrison is always smiling. But that grin is a little bigger now. The 20-year-old, who has undergone three dozen surgeries to help him grow properly, has completed his final leg-lengthening surgery. “It’s a great feeling because I know this is the end,” Jerren said. “I’ve been doing this since I was 2 years old.”…

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Cancer, Orthopedics, Patient Stories, Sarcoma, Teens

Teen spreads positive attitude after bone cancer

“I did not know what to say when the doctor came and told me that I had cancer. I was like, ‘No, this can’t happen to me,’” Indarius Walker recently told a reporter. The 16-year-old was describing how he reacted to learning he had osteosarcoma. “Osteosarcoma is a form of cancer that primarily impacts those under age 25…

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Childrens Hospital Foundation, News, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories

Norton Children’s patient represents Kentucky children in Washington, D.C.

Hi again! I just got back from the 2018 Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. I had such a great time representing Norton Children’s Hospital and being a voice for sick kids across Kentucky. I kicked off the trip on a high note by eating a whole pound of crab. Few…

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Childrens Hospital Foundation, CICU, Heart, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories

‘Stretch for Stella’ and help kids with heart conditions

The event Eight-month-old Stella is one of Norton Children’s Hospital’s tiny patients waiting for a new heart. Her family is aiming to raise $50,000 for the new Jennifer Lawrence Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). They are hosting a yoga fundraiser, “Stretch for Stella.” The event will be held on Saturday, July 21, from 12:30 to…

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