In June 2020 just one month short of her second birthday, and after 3 trips to emergency with what I thought was a nasty virus, Chloé was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My baby had cancer. My heart broke in 2 and I went into some sort of shock.
Since then we’ve had many hospital admissions with febrile neutropenia, chemo toxicity and anaphylaxis to one of the vital chemotherapy drugs. Many blood and platelet transfusions, MRI’s and CT scans, lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirates later and so far 12 swabs for COVID. Chloé is proving to be one incredibly brave patient. She was so scared of every little thing in the beginning, but now she tells the nurses that her blood pressure must be done on her leg and which ear to take her temperature!
COVID has been here since diagnosis, so I imagine that without it the long stays in hospital would be slightly easier. It is really tough emotionally,
physically and financially. I’ve learnt to take one day at a time and try not to think too far into the future. I cry when I need to and say “yes” to friends and family offering food, babysitting and support. My partner and I try our best to allow each other time for self care, simple things like taking a bath or telling the other to go for a walk alone.
Chloé’s treatment is due to finish in September 2022, which seems so far away, and it is. But one day at a time.
Little Big Steps would like to extend our deep gratitude to Gin, Chloé’s mother, who has so bravely found the strength to share her story with us. We wish Chloé a safe and full recovery. We are with you every step of the way.
