Aug 31, 2023, 1:16:42 PM CDT
Thiago and Laura Against Leukemia: One Family’s Journey of Resilience and Strength
Diagnosis: Leukemia
Laura's hopes and fears were high in October 2021, when she and her then 5-year-old son, Thiago, checked into the hospital for a 50-day stay.
Thiago was about to undergo a bone marrow transplant at the Children’s Health℠ Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The treatment, which would wipe out his immune system to receive donor bone marrow through a transfusion, had the power to cure his leukemia.
But Laura knew the journey wouldn’t be easy.
That year already had been tough, after Laura received a call at 9:05 a.m. in January 2021 confirming her worst fear: Thiago had cancer.
Instead of going to kindergarten, they rushed to Children’s Health.
A life-changing diagnosis delivered with care
In the Emergency Department, clinicians ran several tests to learn more about Thiago's condition and give Laura a clear diagnosis.
When she was ready, a physician carefully explained that Thiago had acute lymphoblastic leukemia – the most common childhood cancer that is found in the blood and bone marrow and affects white blood cells.
“I’m a single mom, and she was telling me all of this by myself,” Laura said. “She made it easier by really listening to my feelings. She asked if I wanted anyone to be with me — I didn’t have to do this alone. She wasn’t just a doctor caring for Thiago, she was really caring for me, too.”
Laura called in her mom, who was waiting outside. Laura’s mom only speaks Spanish, so the care team included a translator to explain the diagnosis to both of them.
Thiago was admitted to the hospital that day and started receiving chemotherapy three days later.
Laura and Thiago against leukemia
Thiago and Laura share a special bond that grows between a single parent and an only child. It’s Laura and Thiago against the world.
When leukemia became part of that world, Laura bought every book and read every article she could find. She asked each doctor if she could record what they said during the appointment, so she could listen again later to make sure she understood everything.
Initially as part of his treatment, Thiago received CAR-T cell therapy to destroy the cancer cells. The treatment is an option for patients when traditional approaches like chemotherapy are not successful.
Children’s Health was one of the first pediatric hospitals to develop this form of T-cell immunotherapy for children, drawing families from around the world to benefit from the expertise of our clinical teams. Now, the hospital system continues to treat more children with CAR-T cell therapy than any hospital in Texas.
After the treatment, Thiago’s leukemia was in remission, but physicians advised a bone marrow transplant as a preventative procedure to prevent the cancer from returning.
Before the transplant, Thiago underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation to knock out his cancer-causing cells. Then, he received new cells from an anonymous donor, who was a perfect match for him. Ultimately, Thiago and his mom spent 100 days in isolation (both at the hospital and at home) because this treatment makes a child vulnerable to infections.
But they persevered.
Laura and Thiago waited out the days in the hospital, reading books, playing games and watching movies.
Clinicians helped Laura organize a 6th birthday celebration for him two weeks after his transplant. They strung a Super Mario banner behind his bed and filled the room with balloons and presents.
Some of Thiago’s favorite days were when the music therapist came by and gave him a guitar lesson. She even brought him his own guitar thanks to generous donors who support the child life and music therapy program – a resource that makes the holistic care we provide patients unique. Programs like music therapy are offered throughout Children’s Health at no cost to patient families.
Thiago finished his long hospital stay as the same loving and kind kid he was before. He still wants to be a pilot when he grows up and is eager to learn how to play every instrument. He’s still fluent in English and Spanish. But now, he has newfound maturity, resilience and determination.
He’s also happy to be back in school. He even wore a fancy shirt for his first-ever school pictures. Thiago loves dressing up and looking handsome. He’s rebuilding his strength and continues to visit Children’s Health for follow up appointments. And he’s looking forward to the day when he can ring the bell, signaling that he’s cancer free.
“Going to Children’s Health is like going to our second home,” Laura said. “We see so many people we love and so many people who have cared for us like family.”