After Four Years of IVF, Their Miracle Baby Was Finally Born — But an Unexpected Injury Left Her Missing Part of Her Nose
After Four Years of IVF, Their Miracle Baby Was Finally Born — But an Unexpected Injury Left Her Missing Part of Her Nose
For Matthew and Aimee, welcoming their daughter Adalynn was a moment they had spent years hoping for.
The couple had undergone four years of IVF treatment before Aimee finally became pregnant.
They affectionately called their little girl Addie their miracle baby.
But her arrival brought an unexpected medical challenge. Addie was delivered by emergency cesarean section and sustained an injury to her nose during birth.
What initially appeared to be a localized injury would eventually require specialized reconstructive care.
An Unexpected Diagnosis After Birth
Shortly after Addie’s delivery, her parents brought her to a plastic surgeon to have the injury examined.
Doctors diagnosed her with necrosis of the columella following nasal trauma.
The columella is the small section of tissue at the base of the nose that separates the two nostrils.
In Addie’s case, the damaged tissue was no longer viable, leaving her without that part of her nose.
Because the columella contributes to the structure of the nostrils, its loss can also affect the nasal passages and breathing.
Finding the Right Specialists for Their Daughter
Matthew and Aimee began researching hospitals in the Greater Boston area, hoping to find a team experienced in complex pediatric nasal reconstruction.
They eventually chose Shriners Children’s Boston.
Addie’s medical team included Dr. Kavitha Ranganathan, co-director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, and Dr. Branko Bojovic, chief of plastic, reconstructive and laser surgery.
The two surgeons developed a coordinated approach that would address her existing scar tissue while preparing for reconstruction later in childhood.
Her First Laser Treatment
In June 2025, Dr. Bojovic performed Addie’s first laser procedure.
The treatment was designed to improve the appearance and thickness of scar tissue around the nasal tip and columella.
He used two different lasers to help manage the affected area.
Improving the scar tissue was important not only for Addie’s appearance but also for allowing her nose to continue developing and giving surgeons greater flexibility during future reconstruction.
Why Doctors Are Waiting Before Reconstructing Her Nose
When the hospital shared Addie’s story in October 2025, her family anticipated two additional laser procedures.
The plan was for her to undergo surgical reconstruction of the columella when she reached approximately five or six years old.
In the meantime, Addie was wearing nostril retainers to help keep her nasal passages open and appropriately shaped.
Her treatment therefore involved several carefully planned stages rather than a single operation.
The hospital had not reported that her final reconstruction had already taken place.
A Little Girl Whose Smile Lights Up the Room
Despite the medical challenges surrounding her birth, Matthew and Aimee describe Addie as a joyful child with an unforgettable smile.
The family particularly enjoys Halloween. Both parents work at a haunted house during the season, and Addie loves waving at the performers.
They also planned to participate in the Shriners Children’s Boston Haunted Walk, where they hoped to connect with other families navigating their children’s medical journeys.
Matthew expressed gratitude for the medical team, particularly their willingness to listen carefully and explain every stage of Addie’s treatment.
His message to other parents was to ask questions, seek support from specialists and continue holding on to hope.
For this family, the daughter they waited four years to welcome remains their miracle baby, with a future full of possibilities ahead.
Source: Shriners Children’s Boston, October 1, 2025 — Addie’s Healing Journey and Halloween Spirit Lead Her Family to the Boston Haunted Walk.
