Shands Children's Hospital
Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
The Kids
Miracles at Work

The Kids

Joseph
Oviedo, FL

Joseph had been sick for 3 months and his doctors had diagnosed him with a viral infection. But during a family visit to Alabama during Christmas 2005, Joseph ended up in the hospital where he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Doctors sent him to a local children’s hospital to immediately start chemotherapy but Joseph’s family wanted to come home to Oviedo. His oncologist referred them to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Since English is her second language, Joseph’s mom was worried – would the doctors understand her fears? But she found the staff was willing to listen and take time to explain big words and Joseph loved the hospital, especially his favorite nurse, “Auntie Jessica.” They feel like they have a family at Arnold Palmer Hospital and sometimes Joseph hates to leave. Even when he doesn’t have much appetite, he is willing to eat just to stay with his Arnold Palmer Hospital family a few more minutes.