After 6 months of being in remission, we got the heartbreaking news at Ava’s second lot of 3 monthly scans that they had picked up something unusual. Further testing showed yet again, another massive tumour growing in her little body except this time in her chest, as well as a little nodule attached to her right lung. A biopsy has confirmed that Ava has relapsed and her Wilms tumour cancer is back.

This time around the chemotherapy is going to be very aggressive, and Ava will also be receiving radiation. Because of the how aggressive these treatments are, Ava has had to undergo fertility treatment surgery, as she is now at high risk (80%-100%) of infertility. They have taken out one of her ovaries to freeze & preserve in the hopes that one day she will still be able to have children. Upon that, Ava will also be having her bone marrow harvested every few weeks so they can give it back to her for nutrients which requires her to be hospitalised for 4 weeks each time.

We are looking at 6-8 months of treatments, and have once again had to relocate our entire life to Melbourne for the duration of this time, with Ava having to be hospitalised for majority of her treatments and unable to be too far from The Royal Children’s Hospital. Our oncologist has told us this time around will much harder on Ava’s little body, and that she will get extremely sick and be even more immunocompromised than previously.

I hate to have another one of these going again, but the financial strain is hard and the bills don’t stop just because you have a sick child. Regardless of whether you donate or not, thank you for following our journey and being here, again.

*money goes towards bills, groceries, petrol, parking, Ava’s medications & fun activities when Ava is up for it and allowed to leave the hospital*