Robert’s Journey: A Family’s Faith Through Healing

When Delisa and her husband, Robert, learned they were expecting their first son after five daughters, they were overjoyed. Their prayers had been answered. But only weeks after baby Robert was born, their world changed.

“They called and said his newborn screening came back showing he had sickle cell disease,” Delisa recalled. “I was so confused. All of my daughters have the sickle cell trait, just like me, but none had the disease. I couldn’t believe my only son did.”

Delisa’s father also had sickle cell disease and passed away from it at age 50. The diagnosis reopened old wounds and brought a wave of fear and uncertainty.

As Robert grew, hospital visits became routine. “He had swollen hands, pain crises, pneumonia, COVID, the flu; he caught everything,” Delisa said. “It felt like he was sick all the time.”

When Robert was three, his hematologist at Texas Children’s Hospital discussed the possibility of a bone marrow transplant. With five sisters, the family hoped one would be a match.

“All the girls got tested,” Delisa said. “They were nervous because they were scared of needles. But out of all of them, my daughter Laycie, who was born just a week after Robert’s birthday, was a perfect 100% match.”

At only nine years old, Laycie became her little brother’s hero. “She was scared but brave,” Delisa shared proudly. “She loves school and didn’t like missing a month to stay healthy before the procedure, but she knew how important this was.”

On September 29, 2023, Robert underwent his bone marrow transplant. He had endured eight rounds of chemotherapy, a difficult journey for any adult, let alone a three-year-old.

“I was terrified,” Delisa said. “I didn’t know much about bone marrow transplants. I Googled everything. But Robert’s doctor at Texas Children’s was amazing. He spent so much time with us, explaining, giving us resources, support groups, and hope.”

During their hospital stay, Delisa tried to make the room feel like home, packing Robert’s favorite Spider-Man blanket, pillow, and toys. Still, being away from her five girls for over a month was one of the hardest parts.

Then came a moment that changed everything.

“A staff member said, ‘We have a basket for Robert,’ and I said, ‘What?’” Delisa laughed. “When I saw it, I was amazed. It was huge, full of things to keep him busy and happy. That was the first time I heard about His Grace Foundation. That basket meant the world to us.”

The family also received weekly meals and joined enrichment activities on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.

“Those meals were a blessing,” Delisa said. “We live over an hour away, and it gave my husband a break from having to drive food to me. It made me feel cared for, like someone outside our family loved us too.”

Even after the transplant, His Grace Foundation continued to walk alongside them. “Our social worker reached out often,” Delisa shared. “They helped us when my husband had to take off work. It lifted such a heavy burden off our shoulders.”

Today, Robert is thriving. He’s six years old and in kindergarten. The family celebrates his “bone marrow anniversary” every September 29 with his sister Laycie, whom they lovingly call his “She-ro.”

“He doesn’t fully understand yet, but we tell him his story often,” Delisa said. “He knows he was sick and that his sister helped him get better.”

Reflecting on their journey, Delisa said it brought her family even closer.

“We learned that we can get through anything together. We prayed our way through this. My husband always says, ‘If I don’t ever get another blessing, that was the greatest one of my life.’”

And when asked what she’d say to the donors who make His Grace Foundation’s work possible, Delisa’s voice filled with emotion.

“Thank you for blessing my family,” she said. “It made us feel loved by people who didn’t even know us. From the meals to the gifts to the activities, thank you. You showed up, and we’re forever grateful.”