When Denise Ashton’s daughter, Myla, began experiencing intense fatigue and leg pain, the Hollywood, Maryland, mom took her first grader to see their pediatrician, who’s part of MedStar Georgetown Pediatrics. Blood work led to a diagnosis of leukemia within 24 hours, and Myla was immediately referred to the Division of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Hematology and Oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
This would be a frightening situation for any mom, but Denise had been diagnosed with leukemia as a child, and she knew the pain and challenges that lay ahead for Myla.
“It was overwhelming because I had been through it,” Denise says. “I remember thinking—we’re going to beat this, but I didn’t want her to live through all the pain that I had. I quickly discovered, goodness gracious, mountains have been moved since I got my treatment in terms of how it is handled now.”
Myla says needles were the hardest part of what came next, but Denise says getting a port or central line reduced the pain considerably compared to her own experience.
“When I was sick, I remember feeling in the dark all the time,” says Denise. “It was all so scary. But at MedStar Georgetown, they always made sure we knew up front what the whole journey would entail from start to finish and how to take it one phase at a time. Understanding that Myla’s world felt out of control, they gave her control whenever they could. I think that gave her the courage to get through it and learn to be her own advocate. They did such a fabulous job at MedStar Georgetown.”
“Of course, we focus on supporting our patients’ clinical needs, but we are just as committed to focusing on their emotional needs,” explains Jeffrey Toretsky, MD, division chief of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Hematology and Oncology at MedStar Georgetown. “In addition to providing state-of the-art, multidisciplinary treatment, we also incorporate the most developmentally appropriate ways of working with patients from birth through young adulthood. Whether that’s providing integrative services like yoga and acupuncture, supporting families of babies, or empowering children to be self-advocates—we want our patients and their families to know we are walking this journey with them.”
Dr. Toretsky and Susmita Sarangi, MD, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at MedStar Georgetown, treated Myla with an intense chemotherapy regimen for nine months. This was followed by two years of maintenance therapy, which included daily oral medication and five days of chemotherapy every month.
Dr. Sarangi reports that having completed her chemotherapy in August of 2020, Myla is no longer immunocompromised, and her prognosis is excellent. Myla is back in school, participates in competitive dance, and likes spending time with her older siblings.
She also has advice for any other children diagnosed: “Take your pills in ice cream—it makes them go down easier. And never give up,” she says.
To make an appointment with one of our Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Hematology and Oncology specialists, call 202-444-7599.