Tiny fighter: Preschooler beats Wilms tumor diagnosis

Stella’s story is one of courage, advocacy and resilience.

This vibrant 5-year-old is now in remission after beating back-to-back cancer diagnoses — once in 2022 and the second earlier this year.

Although her victory did not come easy, Stella and her mother Crystal demonstrated true grit and never gave up hope. 

How it all began

In August of 2022, at just 3 years old, Stella was diagnosed with Wilms tumor. This cancer, which is also called nephroblastoma, forms in the lining of the kidney. What began as a trip to the pediatrician for a stomachache became an 18-month fight to stay alive.

“It took us all by surprise,” said Crystal. “One week we were at her pediatrician and the next week we were at Texas Children’s for an ultrasound.”

The mother of three said she’ll never forget hearing the news that her vivacious and tenacious toddler might be so sick. “Everything went blank,” she said. “I heard the news and immediately wanted to run out of the room to get some air — but I couldn’t find the door. I wanted to start running, but I remember that I just couldn’t find the door.”

Crystal eventually collected her breath, her perspective and all her might; and began her transformation into an advocate for her middle child.

Just one week after hearing the diagnosis, Stella underwent surgery to remove her right kidney. The tumor had taken over, leaving complete removal as the only option. Doctors confirmed that the tumor was malignant, and the surgery was followed by six months of chemotherapy.

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“Stella did well with the first three treatments,” Crystal remembers. “But by the fourth treatment, she began losing weight and she just wasn’t Stella anymore.” 

However, despite a 20-pound weight loss, an extremely challenging fall and hectic holiday season, the family persevered and Stella rang the bell in celebration of a cancer-free diagnosis in February of 2023.

An unexpected — and devastating— check-up

As a standard of care, patients like Stella check in with their medical team three months after treatment ends. Therefore, at the end of May 2023, Stella’s family returned to Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

While parents go into the check-up knowing that recurrence is possible, no one can ever be fully prepared for this to happen. “We were devastated when her ultrasound showed seven tumors on one of her lungs and eight tumors on the other,” Crystal said. “They said that the Stage 4 Wilms tumor had traveled into her lungs.”

But this time around Crystal didn’t want to run, she wanted to fight. As she tells the story, she recalls her insistence on immediately restarting treatment and her belief that the medical team could beat the tumor — a second time.

Madelyn Oakley, Stella’s pediatric nurse practitioner, explains what happened. “Cancer is sometimes called a microscopic disease. When Stella was undergoing chemotherapy for the original tumor, most of those cancer cells died, but some were kept at bay,” she said. “When the chemo stopped, those cells began to grow and spread.”

According to Dr. Jennifer Foster, Stella’s pediatric oncologist and lead physician, the lungs are a common place for Wilms tumor to recur.

“It’s heartbreaking to have to tell a family that has been through so much that they are going to go through it all again — even more aggressively, and for even longer,” Dr. Foster said.

“At the same time, it’s also a privilege to be there for families during a difficult time, to fight for these patients and to try and provide them more time — hopefully a lifetime of time.”

Dr. Foster prescribed 40 weeks of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiation for the second fight. The course of treatment proved successful, and Stella rang the bell a second time to celebrate her cancer-free diagnosis in March of 2024.

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When personality pays off

At Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Stella is known for her upbeat, optimistic and social personality. Her doctors say she is always up for a good conversation and can be found asking other patients if they want to be friends.

Commenting on Stella’s courage, Dr. Foster said, “Her tenacious personality contributed to her ability to cope in the face of a very difficult prognosis.”

Madelyn, Stella’s nurse practitioner said, “Stella’s mother’s advocacy, while not a magic pill for success, made a tremendous difference in her daughter’s care. As a parent, if you feel that something is off with your child and they are not their usual self, that is valuable insight. You know your child best. Advocate to make sure that whatever you are feeling is heard by us. Your voice matters, and we are here to listen.”

Learn more about Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center.