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Ashley, Brittney and Caitlin
They continue to be monitored to check the progress of their vision, hearing and growth. Today, each of the girls practice modern dance and ballet and are enjoying living life and sharing their experiences together! Alex
Alex was only 9 years old when his heart gave out. In 2006 he was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. A few weeks later he became the first child in Florida to receive a Berlin Heart, a specialized device that kept him alive while he waited for a donor heart. “He would have died without this device—unquestionably,” said Mark Bleiweis, MD, UF College of Medicine cardiac surgeon and Director of the Congenital Heart Center at UF, who implanted it. Though it has not yet been approved by the FDA, Alex’s medical team worked hard to secure an exception as there was no other option for his survival. During his seven-month stay at Shands Children’s Hospital at UF, Alex became friends with the staff. He often wore a lab coat embroidered with “Dr. Alex Wood” and a stethoscope, gifts from his mother. With a new heart and the same old charm, Alex makes friends wherever he goes. Michael
During their first visit to Shands, University of Florida physicians immediately scheduled a biopsy to determine the type of tumor and grade. The tumor was inoperable, but specialists found that radiation treatments had been successful in other cases. Michael completed six weeks of radiation treatments. The treatment course was quite a journey for the family; Michael required care 24 hours a day, 7-days a week. Given his age and the location of the tumor, the side effects of the tumor and radiation were difficult to manage, but Michael and his family fought a valiant fight. Today, Michael is a thriving young boy. He returns to Shands every six months for an MRI. This past year he returned to school and has just passed the FCAT on grade level. He rides his bike and likes to play baseball and football. He also is learning to play the guitar. InformationFor more information about Children's Miracle Network, call (352) 265-7953 or (800) 284-6472 or visit www.shandskids.org. |
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Ashley, Brittney and Caitlin were born 27 weeks premature and each weighed less than two pounds. The fight for their survival began from the moment mom was transported to Shands Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida to undergo an emergency Caesarean section to deliver the girls. Immediately after birth, the sisters were rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Level 3 and were under the constant care of UF physicians and Shands Healthcare professionals for three months. In critical condition, their lives were touch-and-go for the first few days. They were placed on respirators for a total of three weeks. But in order to conquer their battle, they would have to have blood transfusions. Ashley, Brittney and Caitlin were discharged at just over three pounds each and they have not looked back. 
Michael was diagnosed with a brain tumor called Fibrillary Astrocytoma, Grade II at the age of eight, when he had begun to show significant symptoms; he had lost the use of his right arm and was dragging his right foot. Michael’s parents had been given little hope until they were referred to Shands Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida. 