Life can take unforeseen turns, especially for families with young children. Lindsey Noland and her family from San Luis Obispo experienced this firsthand when their vibrant 6-year-old daughter, Claire, received a life-altering diagnosis. In a heartfelt video, Lindsey shared the news that would change their lives forever: “I just got a call. Claire has . . . cancer.” This marked the beginning of Claire’s courageous journey with lymphoma, a story of resilience, expert care, and unwavering family support.
The Unfolding of a Diagnosis
Just months prior to the diagnosis, the Noland family was immersed in the joy of the Christmas season. It was during this time that Lindsey noticed something was amiss with Claire. Lifting Claire under her arms caused discomfort, initially dismissed as typical childhood bumps and bruises. However, concerns grew as Claire’s underarm lymph nodes swelled, becoming as large as kiwi fruits. When the entire family fell ill with the flu, Lindsey took Claire to the doctor, seeking answers to these persistent symptoms.
Initially, doctors suspected an infection, especially as Claire showed some improvement after recovering from the flu. Despite this slight progress, a rash appeared on Claire’s chest, which Lindsey initially thought was eczema. While relieved by the initial improvement, doctors recommended further tests to ensure a complete understanding of Claire’s condition. These tests unveiled the unexpected and daunting truth: Claire was diagnosed with stage 4 anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. ALCL is a cancer that develops when white blood cells become abnormal and accumulate in the body’s lymph system.
Accessing Specialized Pediatric Cancer Care
Claire’s diagnosis propelled the family into a whirlwind of medical appointments and treatments. She was quickly referred to the Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, a nationally recognized center for pediatric cancer care, part of the NCI-designated Stanford Cancer Institute. The transition was abrupt, with Claire leaving her kindergarten class without a chance to say goodbye to friends, highlighting the sudden and disruptive nature of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
At Packard Children’s, Dr. Liora Schultz, a specialist in pediatric hematology-oncology, took charge of Claire’s care as part of a multidisciplinary team. Dr. Schultz emphasized the rarity of ALCL, noting that it affects only about one to two children per million each year. This rarity underscores the importance of seeking treatment at specialized centers like Stanford Children’s, where expertise in rare pediatric cancers is readily available.
Dr. Schultz explained, “For these rare diseases, it’s optimal to have children treated at major academic medical centers, where there is greater volume and cumulative experience navigating patients through similar treatments. Even throughout Claire’s case, there were multiple diagnostic dilemmas where we relied on pediatric lymphoma expertise here at Stanford, and being part of the academic community ensured that we were making the best decisions for Claire’s individual case.” This access to specialized knowledge and experience proved crucial in navigating the complexities of Claire’s lymphoma diagnosis and treatment.
Strength in the Face of Adversity
Claire’s treatment journey involved frequent trips to Packard Children’s, a three-hour drive from their home. She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, a demanding process for both Claire and her family. Lindsey became a full-time caregiver, taking a leave from her MBA program to focus on Claire’s needs, a role she affectionately termed “momcologist.” Meanwhile, Daniel, Claire’s father, became the pillar of strength at home, managing work, household responsibilities, and caring for Claire’s siblings, David and Katherine.
The chemotherapy regimen took a toll on Claire’s young body. She experienced neutropenia, a condition with dangerously low white blood cell counts, requiring blood transfusions. Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and swelling were constant challenges. Hair loss, a visible side effect of chemotherapy, became another hurdle, leading to the day Lindsey gently shaved Claire’s remaining hair. Despite these hardships, Claire and Lindsey maintained an admirable positivity.
A Positive Attitude as a Powerful Weapon
In April, a PET scan brought encouraging news: no cancerous activity was detected in Claire’s brain or in the previously identified cancerous spots. While more chemotherapy rounds were still necessary, this positive result was a significant milestone. Dr. Schultz emphasized that Claire’s and Lindsey’s positive attitudes were as crucial as the medical treatment itself. “To give Claire and her mother appropriate credit, their primary and most important weapon in navigating cancer was not our chemotherapy, rather their positive attitude,” Dr. Schultz recalled. “They showed up armed with these contagious smiles and effusively positive, radiant energy. Their attitude was powerful and it brought color to our hospital.”
To cope with the stress of treatment, Claire found a creative outlet in the hospital’s Broadcast Studio. She created how-to videos on various topics, from crafts to sharing her experiences as a child with cancer. This initiative, part of Packard Children’s Child Life and Creative Arts program, allowed Claire to express herself and bring joy to other patients through the hospital’s internal TV system.
Cancer-Free and Looking Towards the Future
July 2018 marked the end of Claire’s chemotherapy. After six months, 154 days, and 30 hospital visits, Claire was declared cancer-free. This triumphant moment was a testament to her strength, the expert care she received, and the unwavering support of her family.
Claire returned to school, joining her first-grade class and embracing life as a child in remission. She also began ballet, expressing herself through dance and movement. Inspired by her experience at Packard Children’s, Claire now dreams of becoming a “port doctor,” a surgeon who specializes in placing and removing ports in children. With letters of recommendation from her cancer care team, she is already setting her sights on attending Stanford in 2030, embodying the hope and resilience that defines her journey.
Claire’s story is a powerful reminder of the challenges families face when confronted with a childhood lymphoma diagnosis. It is also a story of hope, highlighting the importance of expert medical care, the strength of the human spirit, and the unwavering love and support of family. Her journey, from unexpected diagnosis to triumphant recovery, serves as an inspiration to all those facing similar battles.
