Patient Stories

Computer navigation helps spine surgery patients get their lives back

Norton Children’s orthopedic surgeons are using computer navigation technology to treat kids and teenagers with scoliosis and other spine deformities. The technology, called 7D, is an imaging guidance system designed to aid surgeons in the operating room. Norton Children’s Hospital is the first pediatric hospital in Kentucky to use the technology. “With most spine surgeries,…

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Cancer, Patient Stories

Osteosarcoma isn’t slowing down this Kentucky teen

Abby Wimsatt is excited for the future after receiving a unique operation to treat bone cancer in her leg. Last year, Abby, a 14-year-old from Cecilia, Kentucky, developed knee pain. At first the gymnast and her family chalked it up to an injury. But after pain wouldn’t go away, Abby was scheduled for an MRI,…

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Neurosciences, News, Patient Stories

New epilepsy monitoring unit helps Louisville firefighter’s daughter

Bryce Carden’s name might sound familiar. He’s the Louisville firefighter who heroically rescued a woman trapped in a semi hanging off the side of the Clark Memorial Bridge earlier this year. The team at Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of medicine, was able to play hero for Bryce’s daughter, Oaklynn, thanks…

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Fetal Care, Heart, Interrupted Aortic Arch, Patient Stories, Ventricular Septal Defect

Hybrid heart surgery saves baby’s life

When Jessica and Jarrod Hogue left Norton Hospital without their newborn, they had no idea what to make of the following days, let alone years. On March 12, 2021, the Hogues welcomed their baby, Hudson, into the world nine weeks early due to a very complex congenital heart defect. As a chronic planner, Jessica had…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, NICU, Patient Stories

Carrying forward a legacy of love in the NICU

When Lindsay Brock was born, the world welcomed a fighter. Lindsay entered this world six weeks earlier than expected. Her early days were marked by medical complications that landed her in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at two Norton Healthcare hospitals. She would spend over a month fighting for her life, being cared for…

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Patient Stories

One parent’s story of a child’s autism diagnosis

Nearly a decade later, I still vividly remember almost every detail of the day I was told my youngest child was on the autism spectrum. Grayson was just shy of 3 years old when we learned of his diagnosis. We sat in shock as we were told by the developmental pediatrician that she had every…

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Migraine Headaches, Neurosciences, Patient Stories

Mother’s persistence and Norton Children’s expertise leads to discovery and treatment of brain infection

No parent wants to see their child in pain. For months this summer, Anita Salik watched her 9-year-old son, Harold, experience persistent, debilitating headaches. “I would always wake up in the night and it would hurt,” Harold said. “I couldn’t stop crying.” “He’d get mad sometimes when he had it because he just couldn’t enjoy…

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Cancer, Patient Stories

After 4-year battle with neuroblastoma, Louisville girl is cancer-free

Surrounded by nurses and staff, Alaina Kenney proudly rang the “end of treatment bell” at Norton Children’s Hospital. The celebration in early August marked the end of the 13-year-old’s chemotherapy treatments, nearly four years after being diagnosed neuroblastoma, a type of cancer found most often in kids and infants. One day in September 2019, as…

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Autism, Childrens Hospital Foundation, Foundation, Patient Stories

Norton Children’s Autism Center provides advanced care for kids

Arguing with your child isn’t something that excites most parents, but that’s not the case for David Williams. David’s 7-year-old son, Oaks, is on the autism spectrum and nonverbal. Thanks to Norton Children’s Autism Center Oaks now has a specialized electronic tablet that has given him a voice for the first time. The tablet allows…

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Autism, Bourbon and Bowties, Childrens Hospital Foundation, Foundation, Patient Stories

Support of Norton Children’s Autism Center helps this teen thrive

When Mary Vaughn thinks back to when she realized her son needed help, one moment stands out. When he was young, she took James to jump on bounce houses with friends. It was busy and loud. He quickly became overwhelmed and upset, but he couldn’t form words to explain why. “I knew the words were…

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Neurosciences, Patient Stories

Young Bowling Green patient overcomes large arteriovenous malformation in his brain

As an active young boy growing up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Devan Riley experienced pains in his legs. He also endured recurring numbness on his left arm, which became more bothersome over the years. “As things progressed, we didn’t want to believe anything was wrong,” said Amy Wilson Harwood, Devan’s mom. “His previous doctors associated…

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Cancer, Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Patient Stories

Care team throws slime party for pediatric cancer patient

Dixie Robertson is like other kids you may know. She’s playful, funny, and full of personality. Dixie cares deeply for her family — which is now officially bigger after her longtime wish of being adopted by her stepfather, Thomas, has come true. She’s incredibly strong, in fact stronger than any 10-year-old, any child or any…

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