AJ’s Fight Against Leukemia: A Journey of Treatment and Recovery

Because of these symptoms, his family took him to a local emergency room, where bloodwork showed abnormal results. By the next morning at Texas Children’s Hospital, AJ was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although they were in shock, AJ’s family quickly rallied, embracing the new year with determination as his cancer treatments began under the guidance of ZoAnn Dreyer, MD, pediatric oncologist and Clinical Director of Texas Children’s Long-Term Survivor Program.

A difficult treatment journey

AJ began 2023 with his first round of chemotherapy. As treatment progressed, doctors discovered he had a genetic mutation that made his leukemia harder to treat. A bone marrow transplant was likely in his future.

Complications followed. The initial chemo affected his heart, requiring care from cardiology. In a twist of fate, he was treated by Dr. William Dreyer—Medical Director of the Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, and Cardiac Transplantation Program—who also happened to be the husband of his oncologist, Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer!

“We really had the best of the best in every department,” said AJ’s mom, Carrie. “Dr. William Dreyer told us that ZoAnn said dinner depended on him taking perfect care of AJ!”

Later, AJ also developed a fungal infection and a brain bleed that required emergency surgery by Daniel Curry, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon in March 2023. He spent weeks recovering from this devastating complication. This included relearning how to talk, express himself and perform everyday tasks.

“Child Life came and asked if AJ would be interested in learning to play guitar,” Carrie recalled. “Even when he couldn’t speak, he could play music. It was amazing.”

A Lifesaving Gift from a Stranger

After multiple chemo rounds, the team decided to pursue bone marrow transplantation — a procedure that replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

Without a match within his family, AJ fortunately found a match on the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry from a stranger who was willing and able to donate stem cells to AJ. He was admitted to the Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplant Program in June 2023 to receive his transplant. While successful, the transplant wasn’t without its challenges. A few weeks later, he developed veno-occlusive disease, a potentially deadly liver complication, and was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on continuous dialysis.

But 14 days later, he walked out of the PICU and back to the transplant unit — a turning point in his recovery. By August, AJ was discharged and continued receiving outpatient care.

Moving forward

The months that followed included more challenges, from viral infections to ongoing monitoring. But after each setback, AJ slowly regained his strength and kept pushing forward. He returned to high school and found comfort in familiar routines — especially in rediscovering his passion for welding. This hands-on hobby became a meaningful outlet during his recovery. He even joined a special program called The Grand Adventure, where Texas Children’s patients travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to experience outdoor activities and explore the beauty of nature.

Support at every step

From the Dreyers, a husband-and-wife team whom AJ’s family affectionately describes as “legendary”, to the dedicated nurses and child life specialists, AJ’s family says that many departments at Texas Children’s played a pivotal role in helping him get back on the road to recovery.

“They knew everything about him, even people working behind the scenes,” Carrie said. “The way that the whole team works together, you can really feel it.”