Call it a parent’s intuition. Call it knowing that expert care exists at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Whatever the words, for Stacy and Neal Coleman, it was this combination that saved their son’s life. Their journey began with a seemingly ordinary day that quickly turned into a life-altering experience.

Atlas was just 15 months old when he suddenly became inconsolable while eating a grilled burger. Alarmed, his parents rushed him to the emergency room. Initial X-rays revealed nothing unusual, but an abnormality in his lung caught the doctors’ attention. A follow-up CT scan diagnosed congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), a benign cyst in the lung—but one that had the potential to turn malignant if left untreated. Though the lesion was non-cancerous, Stacy and Neal understood that expert care was paramount. They scheduled a consultation at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, seeking a second opinion that would forever change Atlas’ fate.

“After meeting with the surgeon, we immediately knew we wanted to transfer Atlas’ care to the children’s hospital,” Stacy recalls. “They made us feel so comfortable about what was to come.” And comfort was exactly what the Colemans needed, because the road ahead would be challenging.

At 18 months, Atlas slept peacefully in his car seat as his parents drove from their central Iowa home to Iowa City. What awaited them was surgery to remove the lower lobe of Atlas’ left lung—a procedure routine for Stead Family Children’s Hospital surgeons but extraordinary for the Colemans. “We had very good medical advice, but of course, it’s scary,” Stacy says. “I remember crying in the car on the way there.”

Neal adds, “Talking with a surgeon who does this routinely made us feel more comfortable. There was some comfort knowing we were in good hands.”

The operation, expected to take two hours, extended to four. Dr. Erica Carlisle sensed something unusual during surgery and carefully examined the entire chest cavity to ensure nothing was missed. Atlas’ parents waited anxiously, unsure of what the results would reveal. When the biopsy results finally arrived, their worst fears—and a surprising truth—emerged.

“The really rare thing that we thought was unlikely to happen, happened,” Stacy recalls Dr. Carlisle telling them. Atlas’ benign CPAM was not the full story. He had pleuropulmonary blastoma, a fast-growing cancer of the lung tissue, extraordinarily rare and only diagnosed a handful of times each year. Complicating matters, genetic testing revealed that Atlas carried a rare DICER1 mutation, increasing his risk for other cancers in the future.

Though the news was shocking, the timing could not have been more critical. “If we had waited another month, the cancer would have been in a more advanced stage,” Neal notes. Atlas’ team at Stead Family Children’s Hospital immediately collaborated with a partner program to design a custom treatment plan. For six months, Atlas underwent chemotherapy, regular scans, in-patient stays, and additional procedures—all while his parents navigated the emotional and logistical challenges of caring for a child with cancer.

“It can so easily feel overwhelming and insurmountable,” Stacy says, “but a constant source of comfort was the capable team supporting him. They were always patient, responsive, and caring.” Even during the most difficult moments—blood draws and other procedures that terrified Atlas—the staff treated him with patience and kindness. The hospital’s Child Life team helped him cope, turning fear into manageable steps and helping the family navigate the medical world with compassion and understanding.

Through it all, Atlas thrived. Scans showed no detectable cancer during treatment, and today, six years later, he is cancer-free. While his DICER1 mutation means he will need ongoing monitoring, the anxiety and uncertainty of those early years have been tempered by a profound gratitude. “He is alive today because of the knowledge and proactive care provided to him by an incredible team of doctors, nurses, and support staff,” Stacy says. “We are endlessly thankful to be from Iowa and have such close access to this amazing hospital.”

Now eight years old and a third grader, Atlas is a vivacious, curious child who loves drawing, sports, reading, and telling jokes. “He picks up an interest and never puts it down,” Stacy says. Beyond everyday joys, Atlas has embraced the role of survivor. He participates in local cancer walks, proudly wearing his survivor shirt and inspiring other children and families to believe in hope and healing.

For the Colemans, the experience has reinforced the power of intuition, timely action, and specialized care. From a scared toddler in a car seat to a resilient child full of life, Atlas’ story is a testament to the dedication of the medical teams who see more than patients—they see people, families, and futures worth saving.

Atlas Coleman’s journey is a reminder that sometimes, the right second opinion can mean the difference between despair and hope, between uncertainty and triumph. Thanks to early detection, expert care, and a family’s unwavering determination, Atlas continues to grow, thrive, and show the world the remarkable strength of a little boy who refused to be defined by cancer.