Iker’s Story

Age: 5

Diagnosis: Stage 4 Hepatoblastoma

Favorite Things: Bluey, Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, and loves playing with his new puppy

Meet Iker, an energetic 5-year-old with a goofy sense of humor and the brightest smile. He adores Bluey, Paw Patrol, and PJ Masks, and loves playing with his new puppy. Iker enjoys being active outdoors and takes great pride in riding his bike faster than his four siblings.

In the fall of 2022, Iker’s mom, Maria, noticed her 3-year-old son’s belly suddenly seeming abnormally swollen. A few days prior, Iker had developed a cold and a fever; but now, he was doubling over with increasing stomach pain. Concerned that Iker might have a hernia, Maria took him to see his pediatrician. As soon as the doctor felt his stomach, it was clear that something was wrong. The pediatrician sent Maria and Iker straight to Children’s Wisconsin for an ultrasound and an appointment with the MACC Fund Center, and things quickly escalated from there. The ultrasound confirmed that there was a mass on Iker’s liver that looked to be cancerous. This was followed by a CT scan, MRI, and diagnostic biopsy, which led to Iker’s diagnosis the following week: Stage 4 hepatoblastoma, a childhood liver cancer that usually affects children younger than three years of age. The scans revealed that not only was the cancer on little Iker’s liver, but it had also spread to his lungs, pulmonary metastases.

The team at the MACC Fund Center began Iker’s treatment immediately. Iker stopped attending Pre-K where he received speech services, and his life became a grueling schedule of hospital visits and inpatient stays. Though Maria and Iker’s dad, Luis, were emotionally devastated by the sudden diagnosis, they turned their focus solely on their children: getting Iker healthy again while also supporting their four other children (ages 8, 7, 5, and 10 months) was all that mattered to them.

In December 2022, Iker began three cycles of chemotherapy at Children’s Wisconsin in preparation for tumor removal surgery. These treatments drastically impacted the family, halting gatherings and keeping Iker home to avoid illness. A planned holiday trip to Mexico was canceled for his safety, and he developed a four-day neutropenic fever just before Christmas, landing him back in the hospital. Despite the challenges, Iker and his mom, Maria, were discharged on Christmas Eve afternoon, surprising the family with a smiling Iker.

By February, the family was preparing for Iker’s surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, where a specialized pediatric liver surgeon was available. After Iker’s surgery, the surgeon reported it to be one of the toughest of his career, but he successfully removed the tumor and 70% of Iker’s liver, also performing hepatic vein reconstruction. In the PICU, Iker became very ill, experiencing kidney failure and needing intubation for 12 days, along with dialysis and numerous blood and platelet transfusions. Maria and Luis felt helpless as they watched him fight for his life. Eventually, Iker was stable enough to have the breathing tube removed and could accept visitors. The family, including Iker’s four siblings, rushed to Chicago as soon as they were able. The emotional reunion deeply affected everyone, with tears streaming down Iker’s face. After Iker stabilized, his siblings returned to Milwaukee, heartbroken to leave his side once again. On March 5, 2023, Iker could finally breathe on his own.

Throughout the rest of Iker’s stay at Lurie, Maria and Luis tried to maintain normalcy for their other children. Luis resigned from his job to care for the siblings in Milwaukee, while Maria stayed with Iker in Chicago. This separation was heartbreaking for Maria, torn between being with Iker and her other children. It was also confusing and upsetting for Iker’s siblings, who frequently asked why one parent was always at the hospital, why their mom was sad, and if Iker was going to die. They longed to be together as a family, but cancer continually created obstacles. The siblings looked forward to weekend road trips to Chicago, getting excited when they saw the downtown buildings, knowing they were minutes away from seeing Iker and their mom.

Shortly after his liver resection surgery, Iker underwent three additional surgeries on the same part of his liver, which kept him in Chicago even longer. The tumor on his liver was so large that it damaged a main artery, requiring reconstructive surgery. This was followed by several other surgeries and IR procedures to drain a vein that repeatedly clotted. Once Iker was strong enough, the medical team administered a round of chemotherapy to test its effects on his liver. After 61 nights at Lurie, it was determined that Iker’s liver could handle the next stage of chemotherapy and showed no signs of failure. Iker was finally discharged and promptly followed up with Children’s Wisconsin.

Though Iker had recovered enough for discharge, Maria recalls having many moments of panic over Iker’s care once they got home. She had to administer EpiPen injections twice a day to prevent more blood clots. She remembers the pressure of this being incredibly anxiety-inducing. Would she forget an injection? His legs were swollen from the injections—was this okay? Could she maintain the proper cleaning of his tubes while also caring for her other children? And the medication schedule—there was that too. So many questions, so much to remember, all too much pressure for any parent, but she had to do it.

During this next phase, Iker continued chemotherapy to target the cancer in his lungs. In June, he had surgery on his right lung, removing 16 nodules, followed by more chemotherapy. And in July, just after his 4th birthday, he had surgery on his left lung to remove 10 nodules, with additional chemotherapy in August and September. The intense treatment was exhausting and took a toll on Iker’s young body, but whenever he felt well enough, he eagerly explored the halls and played in the unit’s playroom. His humor and energy were his greatest strengths, bringing moments of joy to his family during the challenging treatment journey.

Finally, that fall, scans showed Iker was recovering well. For the first time, Maria and Luis felt cautiously optimistic. Though still in treatment, Iker’s oncology team allowed him to start school in September with his siblings, marking a positive new chapter. Despite the initial challenges, his parents were at peace and felt hopeful for Iker’s future.

Though he developed a severe case of pneumonia shortly after these scans, he has been in good health since recovering. Iker officially rang the bell to signify the end of treatment in December 2023 and has had clear scans ever since.

Though Iker is done with treatment, he still faces long-term side effects. Chemotherapy caused high frequency hearing loss, requiring the use of hearing aids, and his ENT warned that more hearing loss might occur. Additionally, Iker developed some mobility challenges after his extended bedridden stay at Lurie. He now wears braces on both feet and undergoes physical therapy to rebuild his strength.

Now cancer-free, Iker enjoys time with his family, participating in sports, riding his bike or scooter, and attending Taekwondo classes where he has earned a high yellow belt. He loves the newfound freedom of being out in public places and eating at his favorite restaurant, Pizza Ranch. Luis expressed, “You have to go through the storm to get a little bit of sun.” The family is grateful to be reunited after months of separation, isolation, and uncertainty. Maria and Luis hope Iker will enjoy a long, full life, achieving anything he sets his mind to, surrounded by his loving family. Iker is so proud to have just celebrated his 5th birthday and will start kindergarten this fall, ready to take on this new chapter of his bright future.

Thank you for supporting research. Thank you for giving hope.

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