Patient Experience
Our 8-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a complex renal tubular disorder after years of unexplained fatigue and poor growth. Multiple doctors had given vague answers. Prof. Dr. Duygu Ovunc Hacihamdioglu approached her case like a medical detective, she spent two hours in our initial consultation at Medical Park Goztepe, drawing diagrams of kidney function on her notepad. She didn't just treat lab values; she treated our child. Her customized electrolyte management plan and dietary adjustments have transformed our daughter's energy levels. What stands out is how she speaks directly to our daughter during visits, explaining things in simple terms. After 18 months under her care, our daughter's kidney function has stabilized remarkably. This isn't just nephrology; it's compassionate, holistic pediatric medicine.
We arrived at the pediatric emergency department at 2 AM with our 3-month-old son in acute renal failure due to a severe UTI complication. The on-call team was struggling. When Prof. Dr. Hacihamdioglu arrived, called from home, she immediately took command with calm authority. She identified a rare anatomical abnormality through ultrasound that others had missed, ordered precise fluid resuscitation, and personally supervised his transfer to the PICU. For three days, she visited his bedside before her scheduled clinics, adjusting his peritoneal dialysis parameters minute by minute. Her ability to balance aggressive intervention with gentle care for an infant was extraordinary. She saved his kidney function and possibly his life. We've never seen a physician so dedicated in an emergency setting.
As grandparents raising our 14-year-old grandson with congenital nephrotic syndrome, we felt overwhelmed by his complex care. Previous specialists used medical jargon that left us confused. Prof. Dr. Hacihamdioglu changed everything during our first follow-up visit. She created a color-coded medication chart for us, scheduled monthly telehealth check-ins to accommodate our transportation difficulties, and even coordinated with his school nurse. When his proteinuria spiked unexpectedly, she identified it was due to a hidden dental infection, something unrelated that others would have missed. Her approach isn't just about kidneys; it's about the whole child's ecosystem. She treats us as partners in care, not just passive recipients. At 72 and 68, we finally feel we can manage his condition confidently.
Our 16-year-old daughter, an aspiring competitive swimmer, developed exercise-induced hematuria that threatened her athletic career. Routine scans showed nothing, but Prof. Dr. Hacihamdioglu suspected something subtler. She ordered a highly specific genetic panel that revealed thin basement membrane disease, a condition often overlooked in adolescents. Instead of just restricting activity, she collaborated with a sports physician to design a modified training regimen, monitored her renal status with periodic urine tests aligned with her competition schedule, and provided documentation for her athletic federation. During our last visit, she reviewed our daughter's competition calendar and proactively adjusted her follow-up timing. This personalized approach allowed our daughter to continue swimming at an elite level while safely managing her condition. She treats the patient, not just the pathology.