Little farmer Carson Landry’s journey to remission

Paige and Raymond Landry were ecstatic to find they were having a baby boy who would be a little brother to their daughter Elise, now 7. Paige’s pregnancy went very well and her baby boy, Carson David, was born via Cesarean section on March 19, 2019. A few months after Carson celebrated his first birthday on July 8, 2022, Paige noticed some bruising on his legs.  

The family was preparing for a beach vacation and Paige didn’t think much of the bruising at the time since Carson was such an active 3-year-old boy who loved to play outside with his sister.  

However, she took Carson to the doctor’s office to get checked out. In her mind, it was only out of an abundance of caution before the family holiday. 

“At 1:30 that same afternoon, I got a call that Carson’s labs were out of whack,” Paige explains. “And that was that. We were off to Children's Hospital New Orleans (CHNOLA) and life became all about bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures, ports and blood transfusions.” 

Once they arrived at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, the family received harrowing news: Carson was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), cancer of the blood cells and bone marrow. “In the beginning, Carson’s diagnosis was shocking. My husband and I knew, from the very beginning, that we would do whatever we had to do for our child,” Paige recalls. “I just believed that God was looking over him. God has helped us get to where we are today. We say, ‘faith over fear, always.’”  

Carson was admitted to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders where he stayed for two weeks undergoing chemotherapy treatment. After discharge, Carson visited his “new friends,” Mom says, at CHNOLA’s chemo clinic every two weeks for six months to continue his IV chemo. After that, Carson was officially put on “maintenance” – two years of daily oral chemo at home – which will conclude in September 2024.  

“He is in remission, thank God. However, it will still be several years of intermittent checks before Carson will be declared cancer-free,” Paige says. 

She admits that the cancer diagnosis was difficult to process at first. “There was no history of cancer in the family. But our family and friends have helped us get through this time. It has been an all-hands-on-deck approach; we’ve had the strongest support system possible.” 

When she says “support system,” Paige readily includes all of the doctors and nurses at Children's Hospital. “From Maria Velez, MD, who admitted him to the hospital to Dana LeBlanc, MD, a hematologist and oncologist, to pediatric hematology and oncology fellow at LSU HSC Heather Lynn Valdin, MD, they are all so knowledgeable and friendly,” Paige says. “And I can’t say enough wonderful things about all the nurses, especially Bailey. She is phenomenal and really cares for the children.” 

“Carson is a very free-spirited, easygoing child,” mom says. “The littlest things make him happy. At CHNOLA, he was allowed to go outside and that was such a blessing. Children’s is located in such a homey, beautiful area. When we were there, we felt a sense of peace.” 

A trained orthopedic neuro trauma nurse herself, Paige says she has met “the good, the bad and the ugly” when it comes to healthcare providers. Many, she adds, “don’t always take the time required to do what’s needed by the patient and family.” 

She didn’t meet any of those doctors or nurses at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. In fact, she says, the doctors and nurses made Carson’s hospital stay as easy as possible on the Landrys. 

“All of Carson’s doctors and nurses were always checking in on him and staying in contact with me and my husband via text and phone about Carson’s treatment. They are so easy to get in touch with. Everyone on 4 West is incredible,” Paige adds. 

While getting his first two weeks of treatment, Carson spent time in the play center, going on “alligator wagon” rides, doing art and music therapy and sitting by the open window to watch baseball games on a nearby field. “These small things kept Carson busy and, without them, and the doctors and nurses, I don’t know what we would have done,” Paige says. 

Carson recently celebrated his fifth birthday. He goes to preschool and spends time with his paternal grandfather, Paw-Paw, who has taught him how to farm. “He wants to be a farmer when he grows up. For now, he loves to garden, ride his bike and play with his sisters. He loves being on the farm and even has his own basket to collect eggs,” Paige says. “He is thriving now. He just loves to be outdoors…loves to swim and hunt with his dad.” 

“My wish for the future?” Paige only had to think about the question for a quick moment before sharing the answer. “I want him to remain cancer-free and continue to be a healthy boy. What more could a mother want for her beautiful boy?” 

To learn more about the Children’s Hospital New Orleans cancer care services, visit  https://www.chnola.org/cancer