Archive for Katie Paradis
A model patient: Alexia’s triumph over moyamoya disease
If you’re lucky enough to get time on Alexia’s packed schedule, you’re in the company of a motivated and ambitious young woman who — in the face of a scary diagnosis — shows others they can do anything they put their mind to. From subtle symptoms to diagnosis Alexia’s fight against moyamoya disease, a rare ... Read More about A model patient: Alexia’s triumph over moyamoya disease
Defying the odds: Cruise’s triumph against cavernous malformations and debilitating headaches
As a toddler, Cruise — now 13 — faced a rare cancer diagnosis that came with an 11 percent chance of survival. But with his trademark resilience and strength of spirit, Cruise defied the daunting odds and beat his cancer. The battle left its mark though — in the form of cavernous malformations in his ... Read More about Defying the odds: Cruise’s triumph against cavernous malformations and debilitating headaches
Breaking records and setting goals: Grant charts his own course with Bockenheimer syndrome
Grant Pierce has his sights on premed when he arrives at the University of Illinois this fall. He hopes to become a reconstructive surgeon and help people with injured or ill limbs enhance their mobility. Grant’s field of study is a personal one, as he’s spent his life in and out of the hospital receiving ... Read More about Breaking records and setting goals: Grant charts his own course with Bockenheimer syndrome
Thinking – and operating – outside the box: Bypassing Saoirse’s aneurysm
Saoirse just turned 3. There was a big to-do for her birthday, complete with family flying to Massachusetts from Ireland for the occasion. The celebration was big because Saoirse has a lot to celebrate. About six months ago, doctors discovered an unstable aneurysm in her brain, and within days she underwent surgery to treat the ... Read More about Thinking – and operating – outside the box: Bypassing Saoirse’s aneurysm
Overcoming microtia, atresia, and speech challenges: Braelyn’s story
Eight-year-old Braelyn is a sweet, confident kid who loves everyone, dotes on her little sister Kamryn, does well in school, and never stops moving. Her parents, Danielle and Joseph, are incredibly grateful to see their daughter happy and thriving, especially after the long road it took to get here, including pharyngeal flap surgery and ear ... Read More about Overcoming microtia, atresia, and speech challenges: Braelyn’s story
A family’s search for answers and hope for PACS1 syndrome
Alya, 9, was about three weeks old when her mother, Taruna, noticed movements and behaviors she was concerned might be seizures. What followed were multiple hospitals, multiple tests, and eventually a diagnosis of PACS1 syndrome. This rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder can lead to intellectual disabilities and delays and currently has no cure. “We were told to ... Read More about A family’s search for answers and hope for PACS1 syndrome
Varsity blues: How AVM radiation therapy got Greta back to sports
Want to find Greta? Try the hockey rink, or softball field, or volleyball court. Where won’t you find her? Sitting on the sidelines — at least not anymore. After a tough year receiving treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital for a tangled cluster of blood vessels in her brain, known as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), Greta’s ... Read More about Varsity blues: How AVM radiation therapy got Greta back to sports
The sooner the better: An argument for fetal MRI before 16 weeks
To date, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been limited to the mid-second or the third trimester of pregnancy. This timing has been based on the belief that MRIs performed too early couldn’t produce diagnostic images because of the small fetal size and normal fetal motion. In addition, although practice guidelines indicate that first-trimester imaging ... Read More about The sooner the better: An argument for fetal MRI before 16 weeks
Inspired by her daughter, one mom helps families navigate complex epilepsy
Colleen Gagnon felt something wasn’t right soon after her daughter Niamh was born but tried to convince herself she was just overthinking. Fighting her instincts as a nurse and second-time mom, Colleen tried to link the dimple in Niamh’s forehead and darting eye movements to her being born six weeks early. But an eye doctor’s ... Read More about Inspired by her daughter, one mom helps families navigate complex epilepsy
How Robin sequence paved a dad’s road to the Boston Marathon: Chad and Izzy’s story
Go to any marathon starting line and you’re bound to find someone who was “never a runner” until something — or someone — motivated them to tie up their laces. Chad Goyette is one such runner. But today, he’s fresh off the Atlanta Marathon and gearing up to run Boston. His inspiration? His daughter, Izzy. ... Read More about How Robin sequence paved a dad’s road to the Boston Marathon: Chad and Izzy’s story