Treatment of childhood cancer can't stop

There are children who have to deal too early with things that even adults aren’t prepared to handle. Yet, amidst the challenges, they continue to believe in the future. Our patient, Darliane, 8, is one of them. Since being diagnosed with cancer, she has been bravely facing the disease and pursuing her dream: owning a restaurant. 

The desire to be a chef began at the age of 8, when Dadá, as she’s affectionately known, began helping her mother, Nayara, prepare meals. She has even set the menu for her establishment: she’ll serve her favorite dishes: stroganoff, shrimps, crabs, and açaí. 

The children’s plan gained even more strength amidst a difficult journey. In 2024, she lost her father in a workplace accident. Soon after, in September 2024, the first signs of the disease appeared: a swollen face, a strange lump on her eyebrow, and heavier breathing. Then, dizziness at school, hardening of the skin, and a fever that wouldn’t go away. “When Dadá’s diagnosis came, it was as if everything had stopped,” recalls her mother. “I was still trying to recover from my husband’s grief.” 

The girl began treatment and gradually managed to understand the changes in her body. She lost her hair, had to adapt her routine, and began taking more stringent precautions. But she never lost her talkative nature, her desire to play, or her dream of becoming a chef. 

While caring for her daughter, Nayara also reinvented herself. She started working from home, making snacks to order to ensure her family income. In the kitchen routine, she found not only a way to support herself, but also a space to connect with her daughter—who watches, helps, and learns. “She makes coxinha with me; she wants to be a part of everything,” says her mother. Dadá’s dream of owning a restaurant began there, with Nayara’s support and example. 

Today, mother and daughter continue to face the disease with strength and hope. The hospital routine is still constant, but it’s already part of their daily lives. Between medications and care, the dream of the restaurant lives on, giving flavor, direction, and meaning to their days.