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Meet MicAH
Newborn Micah’s parents were alarmed when he began projectile vomiting at 2 weeks old. Pediatricians thought it might be a food allergy, but symptoms continued despite changes to his and his mom’s diets. When Micah became lethargic and spiked a fever of 104 at 10 weeks old, he was rushed to Rady Children’s Emergency Department.
An ultrasound and CT scan revealed a tumor in the tiny infant’s stomach. Micah’s specialized care team told his parents he would need to undergo a surgical biopsy to determine if it was cancer.
In addition to many unknowns as to what would come next, the family faced the difficult challenge of keeping their baby from eating in preparation for the procedure. “Our poor little guy was hungry,” recalls Micah’s mom, Maria. “I’ll never forget one nurse who saw how exhausted we were and offered to take Micah in his stroller to soothe him while we got some rest. Her compassion meant everything.”
After an hours-long surgery, the large tumor was successfully removed along with 40% of Micah’s stomach. Thankfully, the tumor wasn’t attached to any other organs or lymph nodes. A week later, biopsy results delivered greater news: benign. The mass turned out to be a gastric immature teratoma, formed from embryonic tissue.
Micah and his family stayed at Rady Children’s for two weeks as he recovered, relying on a feeding tube to allow his stomach to heal.
“Those days were incredibly emotional,” says Maria. “The nurses were wonderful—one even hugged me when she saw me crying—and Child Life gave Micah a musical sound machine with lights and sea creatures. He loved it.”
Micah’s tumor was donated to St. Jude’s and his case later published as a study in hopes of helping others. His follow-up care at Rady Children’s carried on until he was fully cleared at 5-and-a-half years old. He is now off all medications and thriving.
“Rady Children’s Hospital will forever hold a special place in our hearts,” says Maria. “The staff’s compassion, skill and dedication carried us through the hardest experience of our lives. We are endlessly grateful for their care.”
Meet Haisley
When upbeat second grader Haisley noticed one of her eyes was crossing, she immediately informed her mom, who took the 8-year-old directly to their pediatrician. Referrals to an ophthalmologist, then Rady Children’s Emergency Department for an urgent MRI, quickly followed. Less than two days later, Haisley was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)—a rare cancer of the soft tissues—in her sinus cavity.
The experts from Rady Children’s Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology who made up Haisley’s care team shared that the cancer had reached stage 4 and admitted her to the hospital for 42 weeks of chemotherapy.
“Everything moved so fast, but I was so glad to have them on our side,” says Haisley’s mom, Alma.
Clinicians, case workers and compassionate professionals from throughout the Rady Children’s Health system and community came together to ensure Haisley received the treatment and support she needed to heal and continue shining her bright light. They helped the family find solutions as they navigated care, helped Haisley keep up with her schoolwork, and helped her complete nine intense months of chemotherapy.
“I have cancer, but I’m okay!” Haisley assures, now receiving regular scans to confirm the tumor has not returned. She tells other kids who ask why she lost her hair: “I’m a cancer survivor!”
Haisley hopes to one day be an actor, singer or lawyer, and her mom expresses relief and gratitude to witness her daughter still well on her way.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else to go through Haisley’s treatment. Rady Children’s team is made up of the kindest, most wonderful people I never wanted to meet,” says Alma.
With her stuffed Choco bear in tow and a joyful smile on her face, Haisley is a young champion, advocate and inspiration to others facing tough moments.
