A Treasure Valley family is celebrating what they are calling a miracle after 7-year-old Violet Thompson was released from St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho, following a five-month battle with leukemia and a series of life-threatening complications that her doctors described as uncharted medical territory. Violet’s story of survival and her tearful homecoming has captured the hearts of the Treasure Valley community.
Leukemia Diagnosis Blindsided a Treasure Valley Family
Violet was just six years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia last September. For her mother, Rachel Thompson, the news came without warning.
“Honestly, leukemia blindsided us. We didn’t even think it was cancer,” Rachel said. “It just came out of nowhere.”
Within a week of her diagnosis, Violet’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She went into septic shock, forcing her medical team at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital to act fast.
“They ended up doing a new type of bedside surgery at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital to take out part of her intestine and that’s what saved her that day,” Rachel recalled. “Those doctors saved her. Then, we had to keep doing chemotherapy, even while she was recovering from abdominal surgery, we didn’t have a choice.”
Approximately one month later, Violet was rushed back into surgery after doctors discovered three perforations in her abdomen — a complication her physicians acknowledged most patients do not survive, let alone survive a second time.
“The doctor came back and was like we are in uncharted waters. He was like I don’t have answers, because most people don’t make it past the first time let alone the second time,” Rachel said.
Day by Day, a Young Idaho Girl Found Her Strength Again
After her second abdominal surgery, Violet’s condition was grave. When she regained consciousness, she was unable to move her arms, legs, or even her head.
“When she woke up, all she could do was move her eyes,” Rachel said.
Violet herself remembers how frightening that period was. “I was kind of scared,” she said simply.
But slowly, day by day, she regained her strength. Each small milestone was cause for celebration among her care team.
“She would move her arms one day and then the day she moved her legs, everybody celebrated, and then she was able to sit up and hold herself up,” Rachel said.
Violet then transitioned into inpatient rehabilitation — part of a new program at St. Luke’s in Boise that Rachel credits for keeping her family together. In the past, Idaho families facing similar circumstances would have had to travel to Salt Lake City for that level of care.
“The fact that we got to stay here and keep our family together is just incredible,” Rachel said.
St. Luke’s Care Team Lines the Sky Bridge for a Boise Girl’s Graduation
After five months in the hospital, Violet was finally cleared to go home. Her medical team at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital wanted to mark the occasion in a way that honored everything she had been through. Nurses, doctors, therapists, and staff lined both sides of the St. Luke’s Sky Bridge, forming a corridor of celebration for a little girl in a sparkly pink sequin dress who crossed it with the help of her walker.
“This is her graduation, her inpatient graduation. Everyone who lined these halls all touched Violet’s life and were all part of her care team; we know each of them by name,” Rachel said through tears. “They were all here, they were all cheering Violet on as she was walking these hallways getting stronger.”
Violet had a message for the people who cared for her through it all.
“Thank you, nurses and doctors, for saving my life and taking care of me. Love you guys,” Violet said.
What Comes Next for Violet Thompson
Violet is back at school and thriving at home — a remarkable achievement given how dire her prognosis appeared just months ago. However, her fight is not finished. She still has chemotherapy rounds ahead of her as her doctors continue to treat the leukemia, and she is working through physical therapy to rebuild her strength. Her final scheduled chemotherapy treatment is set for December 2027.
For Treasure Valley families following Violet’s journey, her story is a testament to the quality of care available right here in the Boise area — and to the fierce determination of a little girl who refused to give up. Ada County residents interested in supporting families facing serious childhood illness can reach out to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise for information on local resources and support programs.
For more on Idaho community stories, see our coverage of the Idaho Legislature’s consideration of child care subsidy changes and how lawmakers are addressing state budget uncertainty in Idaho.