Off The Record

Dylan’s Amazing Journey: The Boy Who Has Proven His Doctors Wrong So Many Times

Nikola

Published on April 23, 2023

It breaks my heart that any little child must experience cancer-related misery.

They fight with such remarkable courage, yet so many of them eventually lose the battle.

Fortunately, there are also some inspiring and remarkable tales of kids who have triumphed over all obstacles.

Doctors almost immediately saw that something was wrong when Dylan Little was born nine years ago.

His entire body was covered in uncommon birthmarks, with the exception of his back, which had dark red skin.

Dylan was delivered and brought right away to the NICU. Sadly, it soon became apparent that the young child had a dangerous illness called Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, since birthmarks covered roughly 80% of his tiny body.

Naturally, his mother Kara, an Atlanta, Georgia, air traffic controller, was astonished to see her adored son.

There had been no indication that anything was awry during her pregnancy. The ultrasounds and checkups had all gone as expected.

But when Kara saw her son for the first time, he was unlike anything she could have imagined.

“When Dylan was born, his back was entirely black and bleeding, his face, arms and legs were all covered in moles. The largest one was from above his ears all the way down to his bottom, so it went all the way down around his shoulders, belly and entire backside. There were hundreds of satellites where the moles ranged from half the size of a dollar to the dot of a pen,” she told Kidspot in 2016.

Dylan had already undergone a PET scan and an MRI to screen for melanoma at the young age of just five weeks.

Dylan had multiple melanin deposits in his brain due to his unusual illness, which affects just one in 20,000 people.

Around 4 months old, the baby boy began to experience seizures as a result of the “spots” in his brain.

Doctors informed Dylan’s parents, Kara and Nikki, that he would require multiple procedures throughout his first few years of life.

Congenital melanocytic nevus patients are at a significant risk of developing skin cancer.

They must therefore pay special attention to their birthmarks at all times.

The majority of Dylan’s back was covered by a large mole that the medical staff wished to surgically remove. However, when skin from other areas of the baby’s body had to be transplanted, it would not be a simple procedure.

As Dylan grew older, his medical professionals chose to move forward with trickier procedures.

Doctors had to place implants, resembling breast implants, in the boy’s body in order for him to be able to create enough skin for transplantation.

Dylan carried the implants for three months, which caused him to put on extra skin.

After the enormous mole on the little boy’s back was removed, the plan was to cover the region with enough extra skin.

Dylan has had his fair share of operations thus far, it’s fair to say. About half of the boy’s enormous mole has been removed after 26 procedures.

“We’re holding onto hope that the moles never turn on and become cancerous, but he could develop cancer at any point,” his mother, Kara, told the Telegraph. “He has surgery every three to six months, dependent on which area of the body.”

Dylan continues to be a cheerful young kid despite all of his operations and the time he has spent healing as a result, proving his doctors incorrect thus far.

“We are trying to do what’s best for him, we want to give him the fullest, longest life we possibly can,” Kara said to the Telegraph.

“Dylan amazes me constantly, he always has a smile on his face and feels like he owns the hospital, all the nurses know and love him.”

Dylan is aware of how unique he appears compared to other kids. When he is out in public, strangers frequently pause and stare. When that occurs, Dylan merely informs them of the reasons behind his appearance.

People are generally cordial with him. But there have been instances where people have been incredibly cruel.

Refuses to hide

“Once in a supermarket a store manager asked us to leave because one of their customers was upset about having seen our child, which was very upsetting,” Kara said.

Kara, for good reason, does not try to conceal or hide her son.

“I’m not afraid to take him out at all and I don’t want him to be worried or think there is something he should be ashamed of,” she explained.

Dylan’s parents set up a Facebook profile so that anyone who wants to track his recovery can do so.

Kara frequently provides updates on how the family is doing. Additionally, she is making a lot of effort to raise awareness of Dylan’s condition.

“We don’t know what his future holds at this point, he could have days, weeks, years or decades – which is why we are doing everything we can to keep him with us,” Kara said in 2016.

Dylan Little today

Dylan has had 33 operations as of right now, yet he still maintains a good attitude on life.

He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing baseball, and going fishing. He is living life to the fullest and is healthier than ever at the age of nine.

Dylan still possesses a few moles, though, and these need to be closely watched to ensure a positive change doesn’t occur.

And regrettably, Dylan is occasionally admitted to the hospital. But thus far, every operation has gone as expected. As a true warrior, Dylan has bounced back each time.

Just take a look at this adorable kid you are today. Your parents must be very happy to be able to share this life with you and watch you grow up.

Even half of your superpowers would be much appreciated by me. Dylan, may God bless you for your bravery! Do not give up!

Sadly, life is not fair…

Dylan Little, a courageous 9-year-old child, is engaged in a struggle that no one should ever have to go through.