Imagine having your concerns about your child’s health brushed aside for months. That’s exactly what happened to Jess from Bridgend with her daughter, Lacie. For seven long months, Jess fought to be heard as her little girl battled constant illnesses. The young girl, just four years old, endured colds, high temperatures, and severe fatigue. Despite Jess’s intuition that something was seriously wrong, doctors continued to send them home, believing Lacie had nothing more than common childhood illnesses.
Everything changed when Lacie developed a concerning lump on her neck. Hospital scans revealed enlarged organs, and test results finally confirmed a diagnosis: Lacie had B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer typically found in young children. The news was devastating for Jess and her husband, Grant.
Once the diagnosis was clear, Lacie immediately began chemotherapy, but the journey was far from easy. Early treatments didn’t work, and she had to endure intense chemotherapy along with a new drug, Blinatumomab, which required a successful £59,000 funding application. Through all this, Lacie remained a warrior, weathering severe side effects like weight loss, loss of hair, and long periods away from school.
Despite the immense challenges, including spending her fifth birthday, Easter, and Christmas in hospital, Lacie is now back in school, moving forward with her life while in the maintenance phase of treatment. Jess has found solace and strength in a supportive community of other parents facing similar battles.
Leukaemia can often be difficult to diagnose due to its varied symptoms, like unexplained fatigue, bruising, or frequent infections. Jess is committed to raising awareness about the signs of leukaemia to prevent other families from facing delayed diagnoses. Remember, early diagnosis could save a life.
To support ongoing research and advocacy efforts, and to learn more about the critical signs of leukaemia, visit Leukaemia UK’s website. Jess and her family continue to hope for a bright, healthy future for Lacie, and every day they pray she remains cancer-free. Let’s spread the word and support each other in these vital battles. 🌟✨