Identical Texas Twin Boys Get Devastating Rare Diagnosis 3 Years Apart

"As a mother, I knew something wasn't right," Rhea Scott, mom of identical 11-year-old twins Aden and Alec, told Newsweek.

Every parent's worst nightmare is to hear that their child is seriously unwell. But for single mom Scott, 49, that nightmare struck twice as she witnessed two of her children diagnosed with the same rare cancer—acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

"It is heartbreaking watching my children go through this life-threatening disease," the mother of six, who lives in Dallas, Texas, said.

Alec's battle with leukemia began in 2019 when he was just seven years old. It started with what seemed like a common illness, strep throat. However, his condition quickly worsened, with severe coughing and difficulty breathing.

His mom rushed him to the hospital. "They gave him a breathing treatment and then they wanted to send us home. But up above was telling me no, Mom, something's not right," Scott said.

Later, her worst fears were confirmed. "The doctor tells me that he has cancer. And I was like, there's no way," Scott recalled. "[He] ended up having a mass so huge in his lungs that within a seven-day period grew and moved his trachea over."

For the next two years, Alec underwent treatment for ALL, as Scott took care of him and her five other children at home.

Lewis Miller, policy officer at Leukemia UK, told Newsweek: "ALL is a type of leukemia, and therefore a type of blood cancer. The word 'acute' in the name indicates that the disease may progress very quickly. The word 'lymphoblastic' (sometimes called lymphocytic) refers to the type of blood cells affected—lymphoblasts. ALL is an aggressive type of leukemia and can cause symptoms very quickly."

"ALL is rare and is most often diagnosed in children aged 0-4 years. But adults can also be diagnosed," Miller explained. "Fortunately, the survival rate for ALL is high. The survival rate for children diagnosed with ALL is over 90 percent."

As of 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates that ALL accounts for less than half of 1 percent of all cancers in the U.S, with the average person's lifetime risk of getting ALL around 1 in 1,000.

Most cases occur in children, but most deaths from ALL occur in adults. So far in 2023 there have been 6,540 new cases of ALL and around 1,390 deaths as a result.

Three years later, in July 2023, and just a month before Alec was due to celebrate a year free from cancer, the family was struck by more tragedy.

A Double Diagnosis

Aden was playing soccer when the first signs of illness appeared. It was initially dismissed as a head injury from an accident during the game.

"We assumed that it was just a mild head concussion," Scott said, recounting her son experienced vomiting, problems breathing and struggling to keep food down.

It soon became clear that something more sinister was at play. As she took her son to hospital, the mom recalled how she knew that once again something was horribly wrong. "I'm already in tears because I know. I knew when I got home that he was sick with cancer," she said.

She listened to her instincts, despite doctors testing Aden when Alec became sick, saying: "I tell them, 'Hey look, his brother, identical brother, had cancer three years ago. I really believe that this is the case.' [They said] no way, Mom, it's not genetic."

Aden's condition deteriorated, and it took two weeks of escalating symptoms before a proper diagnosis was made. Aden also had ALL.

"I asked the doctor. I said, 'Is he going to be OK? What kind does he have?' And she paused on the phone. She's like, 'Rhea, it's the same cancer that Alec has.' And I'm like, 'How is that possible?' And she says, 'I don't know,'" said Scott.

While researchers are looking into the potential of a genetic connection, there is currently no definitive evidence that ALL is genetically linked.

There is evidence, though, that inherited conditions, including Down's syndrome, Fanconi anemia, ataxia-telangiectasia or Bloom syndrome, can increase the risk of acute leukemia.

"Aden and Alec's very sad story demonstrates the urgent need to fund more research into leukemia, so that we can better understand this devastating disease, and find kinder, more effective treatments," said Miller. "At Leukemia UK, we firmly believe that research has the power to make a difference and truly change lives.

"We want to bring about positive change, through accelerating progress in diagnosis, treatment and care for those living with leukemia today—like Aden and Alec—and for everyone diagnosed tomorrow, and in the future."

Alec and Aden's treatment experiences have been starkly different. While Alec faced relatively mild side effects and spent much of his treatment as an outpatient, Aden has endured more severe effects due to treatment.

"He did extensive treatment for at least the first two months," said Scott. "There were days we didn't know if he was going to make it."

Struggles and Support

Scott tirelessly cares for both Aden, Alec, and their four siblings. Recently the demands of Aden's treatment have left her unable to work as a result of frequent appointments and care required.

While the family's medical bills are taken care of, everyday expenses continue to accumulate. Crowd funding, led by Scott's cousin Tonya Renee Willis, aims to help relieve some of the struggles for the family.

"My bills don't stop because he's sick," Scott said.

Today, Aden is still undergoing treatment with the support of his mom, siblings and particularly his twin brother Alec.

After all they have been through, both Scott and the twins have an outstanding amount of hope for the future—and a resounding resilience to never give up.

"No matter how low the chances are, you never want to give up on life," Alec said.

While Aden added: "No matter what happened to me, no matter what's still gonna happen to me. I'm never gonna give up."

Echoing the positivity, Scott is amazed by the strength the boys share, too.

"This journey that they both have been through, and are still going through, is very rough. I believe it is the toughest thing that they'll ever face in their life. Alec is now having to be strong for his brother while still dealing with the trauma of having cancer," she explained.

Scott hopes that Alec and Aden's experience can help other families. "My hopes for the future reside in bringing awareness to childhood cancer," she said. "Due to the fact they both have the same type of cancer I pray they will find a cure. I am praying Alec and Aden's story will open the door for more help for the families and support."