Meet Autumn

“Thank you to everyone at Valley Children’s for helping me and my mom throughout my journey to getting better again.” – Autumn

Autumn was experiencing unexplained bruises, fatigue and pale skin that became so severe, it resembled the aftermath of an accident. It was August 2022 when her symptoms worsened so badly that it led her to a visit to Valley Children’s Emergency Department. 

After several labs and extensive diagnostic testing, Autumn found herself admitted to the hospital for further observation. It was during this hospital stay that Autumn was diagnosed with aplastic anemia.

Valley Children’s pediatric hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Latha Rao explained, “Autumn had pancytopenia where all three blood cell types – white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets – were critically below the normal range. A bone marrow evaluation allowed us to rule out leukemia and all of her cell lines were not producing at adequate numbers – it was hypocellular. So, her diagnosis was based off her counts and marrow findings.”
 

Expert Care with Compassion and Support

In the midst of uncertainty, Dr. Rao and the compassionate team at Valley Children’s were beacons of much support for Autumn and her mom, Cindy.

As Cindy reflected on their journey, she shared, “Everyone was so patient with us every step of the way. I had so many questions – ‘what does this mean, why this, why that, how often’ – but the staff was incredibly helpful and explained things in a way that helped me and Autumn better understand.”

A bone marrow transplant was not an option for Autumn, so the next best course of treatment was immunotherapy. For approximately 10 days during her hospital stay, she had a central line/PICC line placed and she received an IV medication called ATG, steroids and cyclosporine.

“Her clinical course became complicated when she presented with seizures in January 2023 with very low sodium levels and elevated glucose levels,” added Dr. Rao. “But through collaboration with nephrology and endocrinology specialists, we switched Autumn to a different immunosuppressive medication and she quickly improved.”
 

Autumn's journey of diagnosis and healing gave her newfound strength.
 

A Newfound Strength

Autumn, once known for her quiet and shy demeanor, discovered a newfound strength through her experience.

“The care team not only helped Autumn, but they truly encouraged her speak up which fostered a sense of empowerment,” shared Cindy. “Now, Autumn articulates her inquiries until she understands every aspect of her care, and the team continues to validate her every step of the way.”

“Immunotherapy worked for Autumn, and after approximately nine months, she was finally taken off her medication and her counts have continued to remain normal, which was the improvement we were aiming for,” added Dr. Rao.

Today, Autumn feels like herself again and is happy to have her energy back.

Cancer and Blood Disorders Expertise

As one of the leading pediatric cancer facilities on the West Coast, Valley Children's serves as the only provider of pediatric oncology services between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Our team provides specialized services for a range of cancer and blood disorder conditions, from the most common to the rarest conditions. Learn more about our Cancer and Blood Disorders Center >>