Meet a Patient
Meet Austin
Austin Bravely Pushes Through Challenging Treatment for Leukemia
At Children’s, Austin has the advanced care he needs to take on illness and get back to treehouses and T-ball
There’s only one person who can get Austin smiling on his toughest days: his little sister, Oakley. These two are a team. They share something that someday may save Austin’s life.
Four-year-old Austin has B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). He also has a condition called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare genetic condition affecting the nervous system and adrenal glands, which doctors have been monitoring since he was an infant.
After learning to navigate the challenges of ALD, Austin and his family came to Children’s to help them find answers that would explain Austin’s repeat illnesses and infections. That’s when they discovered that Austin has B-ALL. He was diagnosed at age 3, and began chemotherapy immediately.
At the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Austin had access to a team of providers with specialized expertise in treating all kinds of childhood cancers, as well as the most advanced treatments available.
“The treatment for B-ALL is long and complicated,” says Austin’s oncologist, John Bergsagel, MD, aka “Dr. B.” “A lot of the treatment can be given as an outpatient, but several hospitalizations are required for chemotherapy and immunotherapy. There are a total of 11 different medications that are part of the routine therapy for children with B-ALL.”
“The treatment journey has been tough,” says Austin’s mom, Chelsea. “But he keeps pushing forward when times are tough, and has never given up. He has never refused a medication, has never fought any nurses or doctors on treatment, and handles his treatment better than most adults could ever handle it.”
It’s this courage and positivity that make Austin a Miracle Kid. He is now in remission. He’s learned to walk again, is playing T-ball and is enjoying his giant treehouse and hanging out at his local fire station. His maintenance treatments will continue until May, but “he is responding really well and the outcome looks really good for him,” says Chad, Austin’s dad.
Under close watch of Dr. B and the rest of his Children’s care team, Austin is expected to finish treatment in May 2025. But, should the cancer return or if his ALD progresses, Austin has options. A bone marrow transplant (BMT) has been shown effective in treating both conditions. And Austin has a perfect genetic match if he ever needs one: his sister, Oakley. “[Austin] protects her,” says Chelsea. “It’s like he knows that she’s special and was made for him.”
Meet Brooklyn
Determined to Thrive Despite Cerebral Palsy, Brooklyn Is an Inspiration
Physical therapists at Children’s are helping this sassy, joyful 4-year-old gain skills that will allow her to overcome limitations and do things her own way
After a two-year adoption journey, Chip and Michelle Dean finally got the call they’d been waiting for. “We learned about Brooklyn just two weeks before she was born. It was a complete surprise. She was our first child, and she changed our lives forever,” says Chip.
Brooklyn was born four weeks premature, so the Deans weren’t too concerned when she wasn’t meeting developmental milestones. “I think we just started noticing around four months that she wasn’t rolling and she wasn’t trying to sit up,” says Michelle. “As she got a little older, it became more apparent that something was going on.”
Soon after Brooklyn’s first birthday, a neurologist confirmed their suspicions. Brooklyn had had a stroke, which resulted in cerebral palsy. “Cerebral palsy affects Brooklyn mainly on the left side of her body,” says Michelle. “She has trouble using her left arm, hand and leg. She has a lot of weakness in her core and her trunk, which presents challenges with sitting up, her posture, gait and just overall motor control.”
Brooklyn began seeing a specialist near the family’s home in Virginia. But a much-anticipated return to Georgia led to a referral to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where they found more advanced care.
“We felt like we had reached the ceiling of what [doctors in Virginia] were recommending,” says Michelle. “Coming to Atlanta, we were hopeful and excited because we felt like there were new opportunities for her care.”
From aquatic and occupational therapy to robotic therapy, 4-year-old Brooklyn has benefited greatly from these new opportunities, not to mention Children’s specialized expertise. “At Children’s, our focus is only on kids. We have the equipment, knowledge and skillset to know what kids need as they grow,” says Brooklyn’s physical therapist, Amy Trask.
Brooklyn has thrived in therapy, learning new skills that allow her to be more independent at home and at school. And she’s gained some new friends and a lot of fans along the way.
“Brooklyn is very smart, determined and a little sassy,” says Chip. “She does everything with joy, and I think that’s what makes her a miracle child. She changes lives. Whenever anybody is around her, they are inspired by her. They’re encouraged to be the best version of themselves because Brooklyn is being the best version of herself.”
Meet Jameson
Born With a Complex Heart Condition, Jameson Has Bounced Back After Two Surgeries
Jameson’s resilient spirit and the dedicated team at Children’s helped get him back in the game
At 2 days old, Jameson was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. This congenital heart condition occurs when a baby’s heart doesn’t form properly in the womb during pregnancy. It is characterized by four heart defects, including a hole in the lower chambers of the heart, that change the way blood flows through the heart and to the lungs.
Jameson’s parents, Aundre and Jamie, had no idea their newborn had a heart condition. The pregnancy and delivery went smoothly, with no complications. But as Jameson was getting discharged from the hospital, the nurse heard a heart murmur, and his doctor ordered further testing. “That’s when we found out he had a hole in his heart,” says Aundre. “They told us he would need surgery and referred us to a Children’s cardiologist. It was a very scary time—right in the beginning of the pandemic.”
That was March 2020. Five months later, the family returned to Children’s so that cardiovascular surgeons could operate on Jameson’s heart. “Fortunately, all of these heart abnormalities are repairable,” says pediatric cardiologist Neil Videlefsky, MD.
Jameson’s open-heart surgery was a success, and his parents were hopeful this would be his last hospital stay for a while. “Things were going great for about six months. And then we noticed a knot on his throat,” says Aundre. Once again, the family turned to Children’s for specialized care.
Children’s ear, nose and throat specialists (ENTs) diagnosed Jameson with thyroglossal duct cyst, a benign cyst on the thyroid gland, and determined that another surgery would be necessary to remove it. Compared to the heart surgery, this procedure was minor, and Jameson had another smooth recovery. “He really shocks me with how quickly he bounces back,” says Aundre. “They say children are resilient, and it’s true.”
“I don’t think the surgeries have hindered his life in any way. It’s made him stronger,” says Jamie. “He’s so upbeat. I don’t think he’s met a stranger. And being the little brother, I think he soaks up a lot of energy from his two siblings. He’s very active. He loves to ride his bike and play T-ball and hang out in the dugout with his brothers’ teams.”
Jameson is now 4 years old. While he still sees Dr. Videlefsky regularly for follow-up care, he’s healthy and thriving. “He has no restrictions. He can participate in all sporting activities, attend school, and his outlook is excellent for a normal lifespan,” says Dr. Videlefsky.
“My hopes for Jameson are that he keeps thriving, remains confident and doesn’t limit himself,” says Jamie.
Meet Maximus
Type 1 Diabetes Isn’t Holding Maximus Back
With a strong support system and dedicated care team at Children’s to help keep his illness in check and his spirits up, he’s excelling and helping others do the same
At just 6 years of age, Maximus has embraced the role of advocate for kids living with Type 1 diabetes. He has helped raise funds for diabetes research, and he’s eager to share his experience, informing others about this lifelong condition typically diagnosed in childhood, which prevents the pancreas from making insulin, leading to high blood sugar.
Maximus has even found a way to make it fun for kids to learn about things like insulin and ketones, performing every year in a play he helped write called “Sugar Babies.”
Diagnosed at age 2, Maximus’s journey with Type 1 diabetes began early. But with support from his family and his care team, he’s learned over time how to manage the challenges of his illness, like fluctuating blood sugar levels, learning how to play his favorite sports while wearing an insulin pump and glucose monitor, having to be extra mindful about what he eats and more. He continues to rise above, taking an active role in managing his condition and making “lemonade out of lemons,” says his mom, Melody.
“I tell him all the time: ‘You can overcome anything. And just because we have this lemon that we’ve been given, you will continue to do great things,’” she says. “He doesn’t let his illness stop him. Maximus is a miracle child because the sky’s the limit for him.”
At Children’s, Maximus receives not only the expert clinical care he needs to manage his condition. He also gets emotional support to help him stay positive. “We have to go see his doctor every three months. As soon as Maximus steps off the elevator, the [team] claps for him and cheers him on. They encourage Maximus, and they encourage me as mom as well,” says Melody.
According to his endocrinologist, Kristina Cossen, MD, Maximus has a bright future ahead with no limitations.
“Maximus is able to do anything he wants to do with his life,” she says. “He’s a very active individual, very outspoken. I hope he continues to advocate for himself and others with his condition, which I believe he will.”
Meet Samerah
When the sudden onset of acute liver failure required Samerah to undergo an emergency liver transplant, the confident teen approached the complex procedure and challenging recovery with strength and optimism.
In a matter of days, 18-year-old Samerah went from an active, vibrant high schooler to a patient whose condition was so severe, she was put at the top of the liver transplant list. “Her eyes and skin were getting darker yellow. Her speech got a little slower. That was on a Monday. By Friday, she was unresponsive,” says Samerah’s mom, Starla, a Children’s nurse.
Samerah had developed acute liver failure, according to Children’s hepatologist Rene Romero, MD. “Unfortunately, we don’t really know the cause,” he says. “Kids can quickly go from very healthy to in danger of dying. So with Samerah, we knew we had to move fast. Fortunately, we were able to identify a liver donor within 24 hours of putting her on the list.”
Before the six-hour surgery, Samerah was confident, as always. “When the surgeon told us to say our goodbyes, I busted out crying because I didn’t know if I’d see her later. But she was like, ‘Mom, don’t cry. I’m fine.’ And that made me cry even harder because she’s stronger than me.”
Samerah’s tenacity made all the difference during her recovery. “She bounced back super quick. She was only in the hospital for three weeks, which is unheard of,” says Starla.
Today, Samerah is finishing up her senior year, working and spending time with friends, all while managing the tasks needed to maintain her health. A liver transplant was not part of her plan, but she’s determined to use her experience for good.
“I’m thinking of being a motivational speaker, going to schools,” she says. “I want to tell kids that your world can stop at any minute, so don’t take anything for granted.”
Meet Locklyn
When newborn Locklyn was diagnosed with Down syndrome, a heart defect and an underdeveloped nasal septum, her parents turned to Children’s for comprehensive care across multiple specialties. During her pregnancy, Lindy had a premonition her daughter would have special needs. She told her husband Kevin about the realistic dreams she’d been having. But it wasn’t until Locklyn was born that Lindy’s suspicion became more than a hunch.
Locklyn was born with Down syndrome. While the new parents weren’t entirely surprised, the diagnosis still took some time to accept.
“You have an expectation of what your child’s going to be like. I had to grieve that child. But I was in love with this little human being that actually was our reality,” Lindy says.
Lindy and Kevin were quickly bombarded by information about Down syndrome. And then came more difficult news.
“We got the curve ball that evening that she was diagnosed with a heart condition,” Kevin recalls.
Locklyn had an atrial septal defect (ASD), a hole between the heart’s two upper chambers, as well as pulmonary hypertension. Then doctors discovered that she had choanal atresia; her nasal septum had not fully developed.
Locklyn required several surgeries and procedures in a short amount of time, including two open-heart surgeries and a surgery to repair her nasal septum. But through it all, she’s been a ray of light. She’s also proven to be quite determined.
“Somehow she learned to walk while she was hooked up to oxygen and a feeding tube,” says Lindy. “I have no idea how she did it.”
“Locklyn is a miracle child considering how much she’s been through,” adds pediatric otolaryngologist April Landry, MD.
Meet Ariella-Faith
Ariella-Faith had been receiving care at another hospital for a month but was not getting any better. Her mother, Gloria, knew she had to take drastic action. And since Ariella-Faith’s father had died while the toddler was battling her mysterious illness, it was just Gloria and 21-month-old Ariella-Faith on the journey to Atlanta, Ga., in November 2014.
“Upon arriving in Atlanta, they headed straight to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta,” said Rene Romero Jr., MD, Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Program at Children’s. “She was one of the most chronically ill appearing children I’ve ever seen in my career.”
Ariella-Faith’s diagnosis included liver failure, hyperbilirubinemia, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), failure to thrive, bleeding gums and more. She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy treatments and had many stays in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Children’s. She also underwent a liver transplant at Children’s in April 2017.
“I remember a time in the ICU when there was a complication. It was like all the doctors and nurses were in our room. They did what they know how to do best and she became stable,” said Gloria. “Someone who knew her when she was very sick saw me one day and asked, ‘How is Ariella?’ I said, ‘There she is over there.’ I could see shock on her face, then she whispered in my ear, ‘Gloria, I must confess, I thought she wouldn’t make it.’ That is how bad she was.”
It’s not lost on Gloria what a miracle it is that her daughter is alive. It’s also not lost on 9-year-old Ariella-Faith, who wants to become a doctor when she grows up she can give back.
“She’s been a warrior, you know,” said Gloria. “With what’s she’s been through, I’m so happy she’s here alive today. She’s all I’ve got. I thank God for Children’s and the doctors, nurses and the whole care team at every stage of her progress.”
Dr. Romero said the key to Ariella-Faith’s successful journey is the collaboration and coordination of care across numerous service lines at Children’s, and that the team never gave up Hope that they would help heal the young girl.
“It was a very long journey to get her well, but we never gave up hope, we just kept going through the stages and taking it day by day,” said Dr. Romero.
Now, Ariella-Faith visits Children’s Egleston Hospital every week to check in on how her liver is doing and her overall well-being.
Meet Lex
Celebrating remission, Lex embodies strong will
Lex Stolle had just started fifth grade when he started experiencing symptoms like loss of appetite, fatigue and body aches.
After exams and tests at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Lex was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia in September 2019 at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s. He underwent chemotherapy treatments once a week and in October 2019, Lex celebrated going into remission. After going into remission, Lex continued weekly treatments at Children’s until moving into monthly maintenance chemo treatments in July 2020.
After the toll that treatment took on his body, Lex returned to the activities he loves, such as attending Atlanta United games with friends, acting, and helping the environment.
Lex is now 13 years old and has started the 8th grade. He rang the bell this January to complete his treatment and now has routine monthly checkups. Lex is also an Honorary Construction Manager for Children’s at Arthur M. Blank Hospital.
Lex embodies the Will that patients at Children’s use every day to overcome difficult diagnoses or injuries.