From Brazil to Boston Children’s

Alicia was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was 3 years old and living with her family in Brazil. As a child with Down syndrome, her risk of developing any type of acute leukemia was vastly higher than the general pediatric risk.

After 2 1/2 years of Alicia receiving treatment in Brazil, her oncologist explained to her parents that because she already had developed cancer once, there was a chance that leukemia could recur or return in a different form. For that reason, Alicia’s port—an under-the-skin device used in part to deliver chemotherapy—remained in her chest for a considerable time following her successful treatment.

To celebrate Alicia’s first cancer remission, Alicia’s family started to plan a vacation to Florida. But the wheels of worry were already spinning in mom Laudiceia’s mind.

“That’s when I started to research the best place she could be treated if she had a recurring cancer situation,” Laudiceia says. “That’s when we decided to move to Massachusetts.”

“It’s back”

Alicia, her parents, and her older sister Giovanna moved to Massachusetts in February of 2020, right before the initial COVID lockdown. In June of that year, Alicia’s new pediatrician made a referral to Dana-Farber for blood work and to Boston Children’s to eventually have her port removed.

Alicia’s bloodwork came back normal. Doctors at Boston Children’s removed her port that September, and she had a follow-up appointment set up for December.

But in November, something happened. Alicia started complaining of pain, but couldn’t give her parents any details. Laudiceia immediately started to worry, knowing that Alicia, like other children with Down syndrome, has reduced and delayed pain responses.

“For her to be saying that she was in pain, it must have been a very strong pain,” Laudiceia says.

The leukemia was back. Within weeks, Alicia was an inpatient at Boston Children’s. Over the next year, she would spend most of her days in the hospital.

From devastation, comfort, and moments of peace–even joy

Devastated by their daughters’ second diagnosis, Alicia’s family found comfort in One Mission programs.

“At first, Alicia needed music therapy to get through every procedure,” Laudiceia says. “For me, the day she got her hair cut short was very emotional.”

That day, Laudiceia asked music therapist Fuller, Jr., to play and sing her favorite worship song, Oceans by Hillsong United. “He picked it up so quickly it was amazing,” she says.

Then Alicia received a Peppa Pig hat (pictured)—specially chosen by the One Mission Resource Room staff—from the Noodle Caboodle, in honor of her favorite show.

“They are very attentive, you know,” Laudiceia says. “They don’t give Alicia just anything but they know what is special to her.”

Alicia enjoys a One Mission meal with Sanchez.

Meals that satisfy–and support

Patients and their families on the 6th floor know what day it is based on the tasty One Mission-provided meals. Laudiceia says her family members enjoy all the offerings, from Taco Tuesday to pizza or pasta night, caregiver lunches, and more.

“The food is tasty and filling, and we love it,” Laudiceia says. In addition to full bellies, the One Mission meals also mean fuller wallets.

“My husband can’t come every day to bring food from home to me, so the One Mission lunches and dinners save us money, too,” Laudiceia says.

Waking up on February 14, 2021

On Valentine’s Day, 2021, Alicia woke up in an unhappy mood.

“She was just crying and whining all day,” Laudiceia says. Suddenly, later in the afternoon, a knock came on the hospital room door.

Child Life Specialist Mary Malley and Alicia’s nurses burst in with One Mission-provided balloons, gifts, and a special cake featuring Moana, Alicia’s favorite Disney princess and star of the movie of the same name.

Instantly, Alicia’s face brightened.

“Happy birthday!” the visitors cried.  Indeed, it was Alicia’s 7th birthday.

A mother’s tears of joy

“I was so moved that I cried happy tears,” Laudiceia says. Not only did One Mission and Child Life collaborate to provide the perfect cake for her daughter, they also decorated Alicia’s room with yellow and green streamers—colors of the Brazilian flag—and created a card reading “nós te amamos (we love you).”