What first looked like a harmless case of snoring turned into a diagnosis no parent ever expects: lymphoma. But with the support of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Porter and his family are handling his condition with confidence and strength.
Before the unexpected turn, Porter was living the life of an active, healthy kid. In fact, just weeks before his diagnosis, he was enjoying the thrills of a week-long trip to Disney World. His family’s concerns began with something as common as snoring. “We then noticed an enlarged lymph node on his left side of his throat,” shares Shavonne, Porter’s mom. When they looked inside his mouth, they saw a swollen, obstructed left tonsil. It was a sight that worried them.
Shavonne and her husband both work in emergency medicine. She explains that “Porter had no pain or fever, and no other symptoms besides the rapid growth of his lymph node.” Their healthcare experience made them think it could be lymphoma.
The following events moved quickly. Porter had his tonsils and adenoids (tissue that sits at the very back of the nasal passage) surgically removed. Doctors tested tissue samples in a rush biopsy to check for cancer. “The next day we found out from the preliminary results that he possibly had Burkitt lymphoma,” says Shavonne. This is a kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The decision to bring Porter to NCHFL was clear-cut for Shavonne and her husband. Living an hour away from the hospital, “We’ve always known how well-regarded Nemours is within the healthcare community,” she says. “We knew it was the right choice for our family.” And at work, the couple had often transferred patients to Nemours Children’s because of the exceptional care it provides.
From the moment Porter’s family arrived at Nemours, they felt embraced by a team that genuinely cared. Porter’s treatment began in the emergency room, where Shavonne vividly remembers their oncology nurse, Shalie. “Before we were even admitted, she was checking in on us,” Shavonne recalls. “She stayed late to make sure our voices were heard and that meant the world to us.”
This commitment continued throughout Porter’s treatment. His oncology team quickly recognized the rare type of lymphoma and had him admitted swiftly. “We were upstairs within an hour,” Shavonne says. This is a prime example of how efficient and dedicated the hospital staff was.
The care didn’t stop there. The oncology floor became a place of comfort, where nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) treated Porter like family. “We have been absolutely spoiled by our care team here,” says Shavonne. “Our nurses and CNAs on this oncology floor are like none other we have met. They have hearts of gold, advocate constantly for us and make sure Porter is happy and never feels scared.”
Child Life Specialist Kathryn and Gaming Specialist Carlos made sure Porter had moments of joy, often making it easy to forget they were in a hospital. “Kathryn has been our personal family Santa Claus,” says Shavonne, “Always keeping Porter busy, finding the coolest activities that keep him entertained and showering him in fun toys. Porter’s best friend here is Carlos, the gaming specialist who comes by to play video games with him almost daily. He has so much fun here we often forget it’s a hospital.”
During his stay, Porter’s interest in ambulances and helicopters was something his care team noticed right away. With Shavonne being an ER nurse along the coast, Porter already had a connection to the world of emergency transport. Knowing this, AirCare (a helicopter ambulance service) and the Nemours Children’s Critical Care Transport team visited Porter. They brought gifts, making the day extra special for him. The visit was a highlight of his time at Nemours, and the link to his mom’s coworkers made it even more meaningful.
Porter’s treatment isn’t over just yet. He needs five rounds of chemotherapy and will have the enlarged lymph node removed. But with the support of Porter’s care team, including Dr. Erlyn Smith, he and his family feel optimistic. “As aggressive as this type of lymphoma is, his outlook is really good. We caught it early,” Shavonne shares. Their hope is that by this time next year, Porter will be returning to school and getting back to being a healthy child.
For parents facing a similar journey, Shavonne shares this advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to accept help.” She emphasizes the importance of leaning on your community, friends, and family during these tough times. “This is not easy to see your child go through, and it can be so overwhelming at times, so having a village and accepting the help offered is huge.”
Through it all, Porter and his family remain hopeful, finding strength in the care they’ve received and the love that surrounds them. With NCHFL by their side, they’re confident that Porter’s best days are yet to come.
