He was just a toddler when he began difficult leukemia treatment. Now he’s cancer-free

Jessica Encalada smiles at the sound of her son Lucas’ high-pitched laugh as the 5-year-old rolls in the grass outside Indian Trace Elementary School in Weston.

“I’m just grateful he’s still here with us,” she says.

In 2019, he was diagnosed at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood with high-risk lymphoblastic leukemia. Ever since then, she’s been by his side.

“He is a boy who has adapted a lot,” Jessica says. “He is always smiling. I always say that he has a smile that can light up a whole hospital.”

Sandra Muvdi, Lucas’ case manager at the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation, nominated him for help from Wish Book, noting his resilience. After grueling treatments, he is cancer-free.

In 2017, the Encalada family immigrated to the United States from Guayaquil, Ecuador in search of opportunities and a better life. Jessica, her husband Carlos Salazar, and their 10-year-old daughter, Luciana settled in Weston. There they had the support of Jessica’s mother and sister.

Shortly after Carlos found work, Jessica became pregnant with Lucas. He was only a toddler when his family saw unusual bruising on his legs. She took Lucas to the emergency room, where he was referred to an oncologist for testing, and the family’s battle with his illness began.

Early in his treatment, Lucas had to be isolated in the hospital because of COVID-19. Jessica was right there with him — forced to leave her husband and Lucas’s older sister, Luciana, who was then in middle school, in her grandmother’s care.

That’s when Jessica became her son’s real-life superhero.

“Lucas and I practically lived in the hospital,” Jessica says. “We couldn’t see our family for months, and I was always in complete isolation from Lucas’ father and sister.”

The family adapted to a new and unexpected lifestyle. Jessica was always at the hospital with Lucas while Carlos worked late nights. Luciana found adapting to a sick sibling particularly hard. Lucas and Luciana have always gotten along well despite their age difference. When Lucas works on art projects at his clinic, he always makes something for his sister.

But as Lucas underwent treatment, his mother said, “It was getting a bit more complicated for us to get things going at home.”

Jessica and Lucas spent around two months in the ICU, where Lucas began his year-long treatment plan. Early on, it was clear his body was reacting badly to chemotherapy.

The family then began to seek new options for treating his illness.

“The oncologists gave me several options,” she explained. “One was a possible bone marrow transplant.”

Bone marrow transplant: long and arduous

Lucas was relocated to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he would get his treatment. The oncologists sat down with Jessica in 2021 to explain how the transplant would work.

Although family members knew the procedure would be long and arduous, they remained hopeful.

“I knew I was placing my son in good hands,” Jessica says. “But none of us in the family were a perfect fit for Lucas’ transplant. “Then a man from Texas donated his anonymously. We haven’t met him but we hope to.”

The transplant took place on April 29, 2022. It was successful, but chemotherapy, radiation, and oral medication followed.

“We truly saw it as a rebirth,” said Jessica. “The process is very tough.”

However, the family soon noticed Lucas was rapidly losing weight. A few months after his transplant, Lucas had a high fever and was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. To help with this, Lucas began undergoing treatments every Wednesday at Alex’s Place, a pediatric facility at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He also began a steroid treatment that has caused swelling in his face and stomach.

At Alex’s Place, Lucas is known for his lively presence.

“He is not shy,” explains Carlos. “He loves to dance.”

Though the future is filled with uncertainty, Lucas is now cancer-free and has accomplished his goal of going to school for the first time this year. At Indian Trace Elementary, he has had the opportunity to make new friends.

“Although Lucas’ cancer journey has been long and arduous, he is close to the finish line,” said Muvdi, Lucas’ case manager. “I have no doubt Lucas will have an amazing success story to share with the world and live his life to the fullest.”

From Wish Book, Lucas asked for a PlayStation 5 with a game from his favorite superhero, Spider-Man, and a bed of his own.

His parents hope to get help with their monthly car payments and eventually own a second vehicle.

“I know it’s material things, but sometimes that which seems perhaps insignificant fills you with joy,” Jessica says. “It means a lot to see Lucas happy.”

How to Help

To help the more than 180 other nominees who are in need this year:

▪ To donate, use the coupon found in the newspaper or pay securely online through www.MiamiHerald.com/wishbook

▪ For more information, call 305-376-2906 or email Wishbook@MiamiHerald.com

▪ The most requested items are often laptops and tablets for school, furniture, and accessible vans

▪ Read all Wish Book stories on www.MiamiHerald.com/wishbook

This story is the product of a partnership between the Miami Herald and the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media at Florida International University