How One Little Girl Defied the Odds With Courage, Care, and Unbreakable Spirit

Some journeys begin quietly.

Others begin with a single sentence that changes everything.

For Joe Judge, describing the early days of his eldest daughter Millie’s life was simple and heartbreaking:

“Everything was going fine—until it wasn’t.”

A Healthy Birth That Quickly Turned Critical

Millie Judge was born full-term in Ottumwa, Iowa.

She appeared healthy.
Bright-eyed.
Strong-voiced.

Joe and Betsy Judge felt the familiar mix of joy, relief, and exhaustion that comes with welcoming a newborn. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

But within hours, everything changed.

Millie began struggling to breathe.

Doctors made the urgent decision to transfer her to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.

The two-hour drive felt endless.

“We were terrified,” Betsy recalled. “We had no idea what was happening.”

That hospital would soon become more than a medical center—it would become their lifeline.

Life-Threatening Diagnoses in the First Months

Doctors discovered that Millie had four heart murmurs.

At just four months old, she faced open-heart surgery—an unimaginable reality for new parents.

She also suffered two collapsed lungs, severe weight loss, and an inability to recover from even minor illnesses.

“That was scarier than when she was first born,” Betsy said.

In March 2016, surgeons performed the operation.

Two murmurs were corrected surgically.
One closed on its own.
One remained.

The surgery was a success—but it was only the beginning.

When Development Fell Behind

As months passed, Millie wasn’t meeting developmental milestones.

She struggled with muscle tone.
She lagged behind in movement.

Then her parents noticed something alarming—a polyp in her diaper.

That discovery led to more tests. More scans. More hospital visits.

With Millie, they quickly learned that every concern required specialized care.

A Rare Genetic Condition With Serious Risks

A colonoscopy and MRI revealed multiple polyps and an unusually large head size.

Eventually, doctors delivered a diagnosis few families ever hear:

Bannayan–Riley–Ruvalcaba syndrome with a PTEN gene deletion.

It is an extremely rare genetic condition that significantly increases cancer risk.

“There are only a handful of people in the world with this,” Betsy said.

Doctors warned that Millie’s low muscle tone might prevent her from ever sitting up—or walking.

The focus shifted.

Not toward curing the condition, but toward constant vigilance.

Living Under Medical Surveillance

Millie began undergoing frequent colonoscopies.

At each procedure, doctors removed 80 to 100 polyps.

Monitoring became a way of life.

Then came one of the most terrifying moments yet.

Christmas 2016: A Moment Between Life and Death

During a hospital visit just before Christmas, Millie suddenly turned purple while her parents were signing paperwork.

A Code Blue was called.

Medical staff performed CPR.

Millie was resuscitated.

Later that same day, she tore out an IV and required a blood transfusion.

“It was an awful day,” Betsy said. “Terrifying.”

Yet through it all, the Judges never lost trust in the care team.

“They gave us confidence to get through everything,” Joe said.

Rebuilding Strength One Step at a Time

Millie was placed on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), receiving essential nutrients directly into her bloodstream.

Physical therapy began at home.

Slowly, strength returned.

And then—against expectations—Millie stood.

By age three, she took her first steps.

That Halloween, she walked around the town square trick-or-treating.

A simple childhood moment.

A monumental victory.

Growing Stronger While Facing More Surgery

As Millie grew, her medical journey continued.

To reduce cancer risk, surgeons eventually removed her colon.

The surgery went remarkably well.

“She was walking after two days,” Joe said. “Discharged after four. Her attitude amazed us.”

Even in recovery, Millie’s resilience shone through.

A Thriving Fourth Grader With Big Dreams

Today, Millie is ten years old and in fourth grade.

She loves math.
Enjoys art.
Has an imagination that fills every room.

Her favorite game?

“Dr. Millie.”

Wearing a white coat, she takes care of her sisters, pets, and toys—mirroring the care she has received her entire life.

The Power of Compassionate Care

The Judges credit much of Millie’s progress to the team at Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

From doctors and nurses to child life specialists, every person played a role.

When Millie needed resuscitation, their quick response saved her life.

But just as important was their compassion.

“They understood our fear,” Joe said. “They treated us like family.”

A Moment of Pure Joy at Kinnick Stadium

In August 2025, Millie experienced a moment that felt like a celebration of everything she had overcome.

She attended the Iowa Hawkeyes’ annual Kids Day.

She met players.
Collected autographs.
Walked through the Kinnick Stadium tunnel as the team performed “The Swarm.”

For Millie, it wasn’t just fun.

It was triumph.

What Millie’s Story Teaches Us

Millie Judge’s journey is not just about survival.

It is about thriving despite uncertainty.

It teaches us that:

• Rare conditions require relentless vigilance

• Compassionate medical care saves lives

• Small milestones carry enormous meaning

• Courage can be quiet, steady, and joyful

Her victories are not measured only in surgeries survived or diagnoses managed.

They are measured in laughter, learning, and living fully.

A Story Still Being Written

Joe and Betsy continue to advocate for their daughter.

They celebrate every step.
Honor every caregiver.
And share Millie’s story—not as tragedy, but as hope.

Millie is playful yet brave.
Fragile yet fierce.
Ordinary yet extraordinary.

Her journey reminds us that even in the face of rare genetic conditions, hope can flourish.

And that with love, expertise, and unwavering determination, extraordinary outcomes are possible.

Millie’s story is far from over.

And every day she lives is proof that courage, care, and resilience can transform even the most uncertain beginnings into a life filled with meaning.