“YOUR CHILD HAS CANCER”

These are the devastating words said to us at the beginning of July 2023. Our beautiful, 13 year daughter Bria had been misdiagnosed 2 years previous. Despite being monitored every 3 months, having numerous infections and me, her mum, being dismissed every time I questioned the growing lumps in her neck. This cancer was missed.

Eventually my concerns were acknowledged and a scan showed our worst fears. Bria has cancer and our lives changed forever.

The last 6 months have been an emotional rollercoaster and has devastated not only Bria, my husband Rob, our 9 year old daughter Macy and myself but our extended family and close friends. A cancer diagnosis of a child is unusual. I often felt like my heart had been shattered into a million pieces. Like I couldn't breathe. Some times you forget just for a moment and then it hits you, all over again, like a ton of bricks knocking the air out of your lungs. Overwhelming.

Bria bravely underwent test after test, biopsies, bloods, scans and physical exams. Cameras up her nose and down her throat. It was terrifying to hear that the cancer was advanced, it has been growing for 2 years and it had spread from her thyroid, extensively into both sides of her neck, lymph nodes and had started to creep down to her chest. Thank goodness this was caught before it reached her lungs.

On the 8th of August Bria had the most brutal of surgery’s, what should have been a 6 hour surgery turned into the most agonising 10 hour wait for us.

The surgery went well, her incredible team at Addenbrookes removed all the cancer they could see. There would still be cancer in Bria’s body but most of it was successfully removed. There were a few complications in the days that followed, 48 hours of constant vomiting (not ideal with a neck wound from ear to ear), drains not working, a damaged vocal chord, an extremely noisy children's ward and pain no child should ever have to endure.

If I could take this pain away I would. As parents we felt totally helpless.

Once we got home, recovery from the surgery went well, Bria rested and slowly gained back her strength. As time has passed she’s managed to return to school 60% of the time and is dancing again which is her passion, we have an incredible team helping us adjust to this new normal. Despite hundreds of blood tests and trips to the hospital since surgery, adjustments of medications to replace her thyroid hormones and keep the cancer left in her body at bay, side effects, emotional trauma and fear of what’s to come Bria has shown true resilience and determination. She has handled difficult and frightening conversations in a mature and positive way. She’s an exceptional example to her loving little sister Macy.

Now comes the next phase of treatment…………..and this is why I’m asking for your help. Which I admit is not easy and I feel huge discomfort in asking for help and sharing such a personal story. Many of you have asked if there is anything you can do or have not known how you can help so here’s a little idea but there’s absolutely no pressure or expectation.

On 27th November Bria begins her next phase of treatment. We will head down to London for Bria to undergo Radioactive Iodine treatment. She will be shut in a lead lined isolation suite, all on her own for between 5 days and anything up to 2 weeks. Alone. I will be able to stay in the room next door but Bria will be radioactive. Anything she comes into contact with will be radioactive. She will remain there until the radiation has passed through her body. Its amazing stuff, the radioactive iodine will only target the cells in her body that are cancerous and kill the little buggers. Dead!

We don’t know how many of these treatments Bria or how this treatment will effect Bria in the future.

Everything that goes into that isolation suite will be destroyed. Clothes, blankets, books, toiletries, activities. Luckily her lifeline of a phone can be wrapped to protect it.

I haven't been able to work these last 6 months while I've been looking after Bria and the additional costs have made things pretty tight. I would really like to give Bria some home comforts while shes in hospital, make her stay more bearable and be able to replace the things that have to be destroyed. We also don’t know how many treatments she will require or what health care costs may arise in the future - costs associated with hospital visits, Travel expenses etc. She would also love a Spanish adventure once this nightmare is over.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we appreciate your love and support more than you could ever know. Hugs are always welcome!

Lou (& Rob) xx