When Lauren and Kevin’s three-and-a-half-year-old son, Wesley, broke his femur, they expected a straightforward recovery. But what began as a broken bone quickly turned into something far more serious: a leukemia diagnosis.
In April 2022, an orthopedist reviewing Wesley’s test results suspected something was wrong. She urged the family to take him directly to CHOC, part of Rady Children’s Health. The day they had planned to spend at Disneyland® park celebrating their younger son’s first birthday, suddenly became a trip to the emergency department.
“As we arrived at the emergency room, we kept thinking, Wesley was fine a few days ago. Why is this happening? Is his life in danger?” Lauren remembered.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Once admitted, Wesley underwent a series of tests that confirmed the diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Lauren and Kevin wished more than anything they could trade places with their energetic, loud, smart, and loving son so he could go back to running and playing as every little kid should. Hearing him say, “I want to go home,” was especially difficult. “Of course, we all wanted to go home,” Lauren said. “But if we had to be at a hospital, there’s nowhere we would rather be than CHOC.”
Care That Brings Hope
The family met with Wesley’s doctors and care team at the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC, who explained the treatment plan and reassured them. “They told us they would take good care of our son. And I can assure you they absolutely did,” Lauren shared.
Wesley’s treatment included a grueling course of steroids, numerous lumbar punctures, chemotherapy infusions, oral chemotherapy, and physical therapy to help him walk again after his broken femur. Some of the chemotherapy caused painful side effects, leaving Wesley with jaw aches that made it difficult to eat and leg pain that complicated his recovery. Despite careful precautions, he also endured multiple hospital admissions due to infections.
Through it all, CHOC’s doctors, nurses, and child life specialists walked with the family. When Wesley got his chemotherapy port, a child life specialist used a stuffed animal with its own port to help explain what to expect in a way he could understand.
Services like CHOC’s child life program, designed with whole-child wellness in mind, rely almost solely on philanthropic support. It is because of the generous commitment of our community that kids like Wesley can still experience the magic of childhood—even in the face of an unimaginable diagnosis.
“They consoled us, hugged us, listened to our every concern, and never cut any visit short,” Lauren said.
A Moment of Celebration
After 804 days, Wesley finished his treatment and rang the bell at CHOC—a milestone his family celebrated alongside the care team. “I still to this day refer to it as our second home, and they will always be family,” Lauren said. “No matter the circumstance, they make you feel like everything is going to be okay. And seeing these guardian angels bring a smile to your child’s face when they’re going through the hardest thing they ever will… there’s nothing like it.”
A Bright Future
Today, Wesley has been in remission for over a year. Once unable to walk without pain, he now runs, plays sports, and enjoys childhood again. “I’m so proud of Wesley’s strength and courageous spirit,” Lauren reflected. “Watching him run and play sports, I think back to when he could barely walk and was in terrible pain. His recovery is almost unbelievable.”
