Determined to Heal: 4-Year-Old Fights Leukemia One Day at a Time - Cook Children's - Prosper

By Amber Kaiser

It was May 7, 2024 when Natalie and Carlos Bendana Sr. learned their son, Carlos, had leukemia. He was just 3 years old and had been feeling sick off and on for a few months.

Leukemia Diagnosis

With navigating Carlos’ regular treatment, caring for two other children and working full-time jobs, Natalie and Carlos Sr.’s lives were turned upside down.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” Natalie said.

Their local family support system had also tragically passed away just two months before Carlos’ diagnosis with pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or pre-B ALL.

Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer and can be a result of genetic risk factors although the exact cause is often unknown. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the leukemia usually starts from the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow.

Leukemia Care with Cook Children’s

Carlos has received leukemia care with Cook Children’s Prosper from the start. Soon after Natalie had taken him back to the hospital for more testing, Lauren Akers, D.O., hematologist at Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Prosper, told her that Carlos had leukemia.

“The directness and honesty from Dr. Akers helped me prepare,” Natalie said. “I felt a mix of emotions the day she diagnosed Carlitos with leukemia.”

Natalie felt like she could process it better when Dr. Akers determined that it was type B leukemia.

“Pre-B ALL is a curable form of leukemia,” Dr. Akers said. “There are ups and downs throughout treatment. Our goal is to support kids and ensure they stay as healthy as possible through treatment. Carlos has a very good chance of being cured.”

When Dr. Akers explained how the first 10 months would be the hardest, Natalie and Carlos Sr. were so grateful for Carlos’ care with Cook Children’s. He had surgery, a blood transfusion and started chemotherapy right away.

“All the hospital staff have been amazing! Everyone even knows Carlitos’ name,” Natalie said. “He has four nurses and they laugh together and walk around with him. They always go above and beyond to make him feel comfortable and that he’s able to trust them.”

Carlos is being treated close to home at the Cook Children’s Infusion Center in Prosper. The specialist team does everything they can to make it comfortable for kids.

“They even call the infusion center the playroom!” Dr. Akers said. "Carlos is a sweet little boy and has become much more talkative.”

Carlos turned 4 years old in February and will have to go through treatment for 2.5 years, currently scheduled to end on Sept. 2, 2026. Natalie feels hopeful, but scared with still having a long way to go.

“Luckily, we caught Carlitos’ stage of leukemia at a time where he didn't need a bone marrow transplant and it’s not hereditary,” Natalie said. “We hold onto hope knowing that treatment and medication can help decrease chances of any form of leukemia returning.”

Enduring Challenges

Natalie and her family do everything they can to keep Carlos from getting a fever so they don’t have to bring him to the hospital. Like millions of people sheltered during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve had to keep Carlos living in lockdown.

Carlos is currently in a stage of being at a higher risk for infection and if he has a fever and his white blood cell count is low then he would need to be admitted. Once Carlos gets into the treatment level known as “maintenance” it will be easier. 

“The most important thing is to just treat them like normal kids,” Dr. Akers said. “It’s a long road, but our goal is to provide care throughout treatment and encourage the parent to treat their child like normal as much as possible.”

Finding Comfort

Natalie makes an effort to take things one day at a time. She also keeps her sanity by refraining from doing too much research about leukemia online.

“I checked Facebook and was overwhelmed with other people’s lives,” Natalie said. “I started thinking ahead of myself and that wasn’t what my son was going through. My husband says, ‘Live the day,’ and some days are better than others.”

She makes sure to stay focused on Carlos’ care and what Dr. Akers advises. Carlos Sr.’s uncle and his wife also help them whenever they can.

“I can’t think ahead and you have to have a lot of faith to get through this because it isn’t easy,” Natalie said. “Anyone going through this needs a support system.”

Often, parents blame themselves when their child gets sick. Dr. Akers finds this to be one of the most common ways she gives parents advice.

“Most of the time we don’t know why leukemia happens, but luckily we have excellent treatment options available and most children with ALL are able to be cured,” Dr. Akers said. “It’s also important for parents to take care of themselves and make time for themselves, in order for them to be able to give the best care and support to their child. I think it’s essential to make sure parents understand that it isn’t their fault.”