At the start of Izzy's diagnosis, she had several symptoms that we never thought could be signs of something bad. She’d been having night sweats and was unusually irritable when we tried to settle her for sleep. Small bruises also appeared, but we didn't think much of them, assuming they were normal for her age as she was learning to crawl.
We thought we had a perfectly healthy baby until one day we noticed a tiny bruise-like rash on her feet. At first, we didn't worry, but by the third day, the rash had spread to her legs, back and belly.
After keeping a close eye on it, we called the doctor and demanded an appointment. After explaining Izzy's symptoms, they told us no appointments were available, but I refused to accept this and managed to secure an appointment that evening. The doctor checked Izzy thoroughly and told us straight away to take her to the hospital, where she quickly deteriorated.
Diagnosis
At the hospital, the medical team struggled to draw blood despite multiple attempts. They took us to a private room and told us that our baby girl had a type of blood cancer. Our lives stopped. She was just a baby.
From there, an ambulance transferred Izzy and her mum to Birmingham Children's Hospital. Her oxygen levels had dropped dangerously low because a large mass was pressing against her lungs. The team immediately placed her on oxygen support.
Izzy underwent numerous procedures, and the doctors confirmed the diagnosis as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Treatment
Doctors told us that she'd need two years and two months of treatment: 10 months of high-dose chemotherapy followed by maintenance chemotherapy through her central line. She’d also need to take a steroid called dexamethasone.
Izzy spent several months as an inpatient at Royal Stoke University Hospital and Birmingham Children's Hospital. During this time, there were moments when she was severely poorly. Despite this, she’s responded well to treatment and is now in the maintenance phase, with only six months left before finishing her treatment.
Challenges and side effects of treatment
Cancer tears our family apart. Our other daughters struggle to process what’s happening as we split up left, right and centre. Even now, when Izzy needs to go to the hospital, one of us leaves the others behind to ensure she receives the best possible care.
Izzy has lost her hair multiple times due to chemotherapy and steroids – barely recognising your child breaks your heart. One thing I can say as a parent of a child fighting this horrible disease is watching her go through more than what most adults do in a lifetime in the last year-and-a-half is inspiring. She smiles every day, and that’s what keeps us going.
Advice for parents
To all the parents whose children are facing this horrible disease, I want to say that we stand together. The heartbreak and worry never stop. Even after treatment, the dread, stress and anxiety haunt me daily as I fear what might come next. But we must take it one day at a time, focusing on how our children are doing in the present moment.
If your child shows even the slightest symptoms, please get them checked by your GP. Early diagnosis can save lives.
And to all the children around the world with cancer, you’re stronger than you will ever know. From the bottom of my heart, you inspire me to keep going daily.