BE BRAVE, BE BOLD, BE GOLD!
‘This is Hattie. She has just turned two and was diagnosed with a mediastinal (chest) germ cell tumour in May 2020. Symptoms began to show around 2-3 weeks before Hattie’s diagnosis. She had temperatures similar to that shown when teething or with a viral infection. When they continued for longer than two weeks and Hattie began to lack energy and lose weight quite quickly, we took her to the doctors to be checked over. She had also started making a strange groaning/grunting noise, on and off.
She was initially given antibiotics for a mild chest infection. After four days of antibiotics, no change to symptoms and another trip to the doctors, we were sent to A&E as a precaution to have a full check-over. It was here that we discovered Hattie’s tumour, after X-rays and ultrasounds by the amazing doctors and nurses at the LGI. Hattie’s tumour was pressing on her heart and she became really unwell, quite rapidly.
She was diagnosed on the Tuesday and was receiving emergency chemotherapy by the Friday. She is undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy and this will most likely be followed by surgery. She is reacting really well to the treatment and taking it all in her stride – a real-life superstar.
A shock diagnosis for any parent is always difficult and a feeling that can’t be explained but this was made even harder in the middle of lockdown, with only one parent allowed to stay with Hattie. We also have a four-year-old daughter who was unable to see her sister throughout her stay in hospital.
This is where Candlelighters have come into full effect for us. They have supported us in so many ways. Firstly through Elaine, getting us tea and toast every morning and being happy to help wherever possible – I imagine she’s needed more than ever when there’s only one parent to look after their child.
The play team also try their best to keep everyone’s spirits high and checked in on us regularly once we were home, offering many virtual support avenues, if we were to need them.’
– Laura, Mum
#BeBraveBeBoldBeGold #ChildhoodCancer #BeTheSpark #CCAM #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth #GoGold #Candlelighters
Please be the spark that keeps our candle burning and give a Regular Gift today, so we can bring light to families like Hattie’s in these darkest of times. https://www.candlelighters.org.uk/givearegulargift/
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