Caroline's Story: "Simple Fix" Turned Multi-Stage Repair
Release Date: 10/13/2025
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Caroline's Story: "Simple Fix" Turned Multi-Stage Repair
Born For This Stories
When a doctor says, “It’s a simple fix,” most parents want to believe them. But what happens when it isn’t? In this powerful episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter speak with Caroline, a UK-born lawyer and mom of four now living in Pennsylvania, whose son Jude was diagnosed with hypospadias at birth. What she was told would be a “minor surgery” turned into three operations over the course of years. Through confusion, conflicting opinions, and an emotional rollercoaster, Caroline found her way to trusted experts, community support, and hard-won wisdom she now shares to...
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A story of unexpected diagnosis followed by years of waiting and choices no parent feels prepared to make. In this episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter sit down with Sarah, a mom from Canada whose son was diagnosed with severe hypospadias at birth. From being told “it’s an easy fix” to learning it would require multiple surgeries, Sarah shares the raw truth of navigating children’s hospitals, long waitlists, and the weight of parenting decisions that carry lifelong impact. Her story also reveals what it’s like to parent through more than one medical crisis. On top of...
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Choosing the Right Surgeon & The Future of Hypospadias Care (Part 2 with Dr. Bush & Dr. Snodgrass)
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What questions should you really ask before choosing a surgeon for your child? In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Dr. Nicol Corbin Bush and Dr. Warren Snodgrass, two of the world’s leading pediatric urologists, we go deeper into what parents need to know about hypospadias repair. From asking about surgical success rates and reviewing before-and-after photos, to understanding why multiple surgeries are sometimes the best path forward, this episode offers parents both clarity and compassion. Dr. Bush and Dr. Snodgrass also share how they’re preparing the next generation...
info_outlineWhen a doctor says, “It’s a simple fix,” most parents want to believe them. But what happens when it isn’t?
In this powerful episode of Born For This Stories, Johanna and Peter speak with Caroline, a UK-born lawyer and mom of four now living in Pennsylvania, whose son Jude was diagnosed with hypospadias at birth. What she was told would be a “minor surgery” turned into three operations over the course of years. Through confusion, conflicting opinions, and an emotional rollercoaster, Caroline found her way to trusted experts, community support, and hard-won wisdom she now shares to help other families feel less alone.
From the moment her son’s OB said “He’s got a birth defect” to the relief of finally finding compassionate, specialized care, Caroline’s story sheds light on what it means to advocate for your child when you don’t even speak the language of the medical system.
In this episode:
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The shock of hearing “he’s got a birth defect” seconds after birth
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The difference between a “simple fix” and a multi-stage repair
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How Caroline’s legal background helped her navigate research and red flags
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Why she says “Give yourself some grace” after years of surgeries
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The role of faith, family, and community in getting through medical parenting
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The importance of asking questions and why choosing the right surgeon changes everything
💬 “I really want to encourage parents that no matter how bad the diagnosis is, normalcy is possible.”
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