Three-year-old Grace celebrates end of cancer treatment at our Children’s Hospital
Toddler Grace was beaming as she rang the end of treatment bell at our Children’s Hospital, marking the end of her two-year battle with cancer.
The three-year-old smiled sweetly as staff and family cheered her on during the heartwarming moment.
Grace was just 10 months old when her parents were told the devastating news that she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. At the time, she was the youngest child being treated at the hospital for the condition.
She first became unwell when she was a baby, when her parents noticed she was more tired than usual and went off her food.
They took her to the doctors and were told it was likely a viral infection but unfortunately, Grace continued to deteriorate.
Her mum Sammy, from Warwickshire, said: “Over the course of a weekend, Grace became more poorly and bruises appeared in unusual places, like on her belly and the ball of her foot.”
Platelet spots, which look like tiny purple and red dots, also appeared on the youngster's skin.
Sammy and her husband Tom took the toddler to our Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department, where she had urgent blood tests.
Later, doctors told them the devastating news that Grace had leukaemia.
Sammy said: “It all happened so fast. Within 24 hours we were admitted to the cancer ward and our lives completely changed.
“Our doctor sat us down and explained that as she was so young, the cancer might be more aggressive. She needed to start chemotherapy straight away and there was a possibility in the future that she would need a stem cell transplant.”
Over several months, Grace underwent many procedures and treatments, including high doses of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and regular blood transfusions.
“It was horrible seeing Grace have such intense treatment,” Sammy shared. “We were constantly worrying but the support of the team on the ward was incredible.
“I couldn’t have done it without them. They became like my second family. We can’t thank them enough.”
She added: “Following her chemotherapy treatment, we were over the moon to be told that she was responding really well and wouldn’t need a stem cell transplant.”
Following a seven-month hospital stay, Grace finished her course of treatment and was able to return home.
Sammy shared: “We are so happy that she got to ring the bell. It was such a special milestone in her journey.
“We know relapse is possible, but we’re comforted in knowing the team at the hospital are continuing to monitor her. We are so proud of Grace and how brave she has been. She has gone through the toughest time with a smile on her face.”
The family recently enjoyed their first family holiday since the youngster was admitted to hospital.
Sammy shared: “It was such a special holiday for us after such an upsetting time. It was so lovely to see Grace being with her brother Thomas and enjoying playing on the beach in Cornwall.”
Sally Spencer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, said: “Grace and her family have been through such a tough time over the last two years, having intensive treatment on Ward 18 and then maintenance treatment in the Oncology Clinic. It is lovely to see her now looking so well now and enjoying family life.”