Toddler’s Rib Lump Misdiagnosed; Stage 3 Cancer Uncovered

A toddler’s rib lump, initially dismissed as a minor issue, led to a devastating cancer diagnosis that has since turned into a story of resilience. In March 2023, while Hailey Robb was eight months pregnant with her third child, she discovered a small, firm knot near her two-year-old son Carter’s left ribs during bath time. Both Hailey and her husband, Austin, noticed the lump around the same time, prompting concern.

Hailey, who typically worried more than her husband, felt the significance of the discovery when Austin mentioned it first. Shortly thereafter, her mother, a nurse, also spotted the lump and urged them to seek medical advice. Although Carter appeared healthy aside from a recent cold and slight weight loss, Hailey’s maternal instincts told her something was wrong. “Neither of us wanted to think it could be something serious, but we both had that gut feeling that we needed to get it checked out,” she said.

With their regular pediatrician having retired, the couple consulted a new doctor. After examining the lump, the doctor suggested it could be related to bloating or constipation and ordered an X-ray, which came back normal. Hailey felt uneasy about this assessment. “That didn’t sit right with me,” she stated. “I remember thinking, ‘So we’re supposed to wait until something is emergent before finding out what this knot is?’”

Driven by her intuition, Hailey took Carter to the emergency department the following day at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Nashville. “I’m not going to lie, the thought of it being cancer did cross my mind for a moment, but I brushed that off,” she recalled. After a series of tests including bloodwork, a CT scan, and an ultrasound, the attending physician’s grave demeanor confirmed her worst fears. “Your child has cancer,” he told her, a moment that shattered Hailey’s reality.

Initially, doctors suspected a Wilms tumour, a kidney cancer known for its high recovery rate. Surgery was scheduled to remove the affected kidney, but a lucky opening allowed for an earlier procedure. During surgery, however, the doctors discovered a larger and more aggressive tumour than anticipated, leading to a diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma, a rare and dangerous form of cancer.

Carter began chemotherapy, enduring significant challenges. “He needed a blood transfusion after every chemo,” Hailey explained. “He ended up getting an infection in his port once and was confined to his hospital room for days.” Despite the harsh treatments, Carter demonstrated remarkable courage throughout this ordeal.

By November 2023, a follow-up scan revealed that he was cancer-free. His port was removed in December, though complications arose when he briefly stopped breathing during the procedure. “Seeing him hold that little cup with his port felt like victory,” Hailey reflected with tears in her eyes. “All I could do was thank God for being with us. Thank God for being with his doctors and medical team. Thank God for every person who helped us along the way.”

Today, Carter is a lively four-year-old, full of laughter and energy, embodying a spirit that defies his past. His journey, marked by fear and uncertainty, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of parental instincts and the resilience of the human spirit.