Artist at Heart

By Emily Andras

Deyron Alvarez stays positive and inspired during his hospital visits by drawing some of his favorite artists.

Deyron Alvarez is nine years old. He is active, caring and outgoing. He loves any kind of dance, playing basketball and, above all else, art. Deyron is also a patient in Ochsner’s Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

In August 2019, Deyron began spitting up blood. His mother, Leticia, took him to the hospital, where she received news no parent wants to hear. Deyron was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Anne Zegel, Deyron’s Child Life Specialist with the Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology Clinic, knows how devastating that news is to receive.

As a Child Life Specialist with Ochsner Hospital for Children, Anne’s job is to take the disorienting and unfamiliar — the size and feel of a hospital, the process of treatment, the fear that comes with an illness — and make it understandable and manageable both for the patient and for their parents. The Child Life team works with children and their families, teaching them everything from how to process grief to the ins and outs of getting around the hospital.

They are also behind birthday parties, holiday celebrations, entertainment and more, including providing art supplies to patients who want them.

Deyron wanted art supplies from day one.

“His favorite thing to do in his clinic time and infusions is drawing and painting,” Anne said. Acute promyelocytic leukemia requires Deyron visit Ochsner for daily

infusions, leaving him spending a lot of time in the clinic. His artistic adventures follow his steps through his healthcare experience, Anne said. Leticia agreed, adding that art has become his primary means of expressing how he’s feeling during his treatments.

“He gets paper and he just starts drawing. He takes out his emotions, frustration or pain, on his art. He works out what he’s feeling on the paper,” Leticia said.

“He has a natural artistic talent, and he takes his time with everything he draws.

I’ve seen him practice the same picture over and over, and I think that is such a great representation of how he’s mastered his experience since being diagnosed with cancer,” said Anne. “He was the first patient that came to mind when I was asked who might be interested in drawing a holiday card.”

The concept of a patient-drawn holiday card stemmed from Traci Lucas, CFRE, Director of Philanthropy for Ochsner Hospital for Children. As the holiday season approached, Traci approached the Child Life team

looking for an artist. The project and Deyron were a perfect match.

Deyron’s artwork, a carefully rendered snowman surrounded by trees and gifts, was proudly displayed on the front of Ochsner Philanthropy’s holiday card last year, bringing with it messages of hope and gratitude for the donors who, among other things, make purchasing art supplies for patients possible.

As for Deyron’s future as an artist, he likes to see how far he’s come, and how much he’s improved. For Anne, that improvement has been in both art and in his handling of his experience.

“It has been such a joy to see Deyron master his healthcare experience and cope with each challenge along the way,” Anne said.

Challenges aren’t uncommon for patients undergoing treatment; they’re an inevitability. Part of Child Life’s work is to assist families as they navigate those challenges. No family is prepared for the emotional strain of a child suffering from a serious illness, nor for the pain of watching them press through treatments that are often taxing. This is why the work of a Child Life is paramount.

Aside from helping normalize hospital procedures and environments and supporting the grieving and bereaved, they provide spaces that help children continue their growth and development, little moments in the process where they can just be kids rather than kids and patients. The importance of maintaining that space, allowing for birthdays and holiday parties, drawing and playing, can’t be understated — and these spaces are often dependent on donations.

Child Life relies on donations of both funds and supplies to continue to provide

patients with a treatment experience that helps them balance their illness with their interests, hobbies and growth. Items like art supplies, games and movies go a long way in providing children with activities that can take their mind off of the stress of having an illness.

Leticia credits Ochsner’s involvement and the dedication of Anne and other Child Life Specialists with the smoothness of Deyron’s transitions in and out of care — and now his transition to remission and, hopefully, a cancer-free future.

“They’re always on top of it, staying with it, keeping me involved and calling me,” she said.

Ochsner’s active upkeep in that area

allows Leticia to keep her focus where it should be — on her children Deyron, Deylin (11) and Deylina (6).

For Deyron, outside of treatment, dancing and, of course, his art, he likes to keep his focus on his family.

“He loves his brother and his sister so much,” said Leticia. “Even though he’s sick, he still finds ways to take care of them.”

Ochsner and Child Life Services make sure to return Deyron’s care in kind. Thanks to Ochsner Hospital for Children and the Child Life team, Deyron’s eyes and mind are on the future. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Deyron’s answer comes quickly: “An artist.

A 3D artist.”

If you would like to support Child Life at Ochsner Hospital for Children, please visit ochsner.org/ child_life or contact Traci Lucas at traci.lucas@ ochsner.org.