Sienna’s Fight for Sight
Sienna's Story
In January this year, while we were all making plans for the year ahead and planning exciting times for 2020, my friends got floored with the news that their incredible little girl Sienna would be spending 2020 having the fight of her life - at only year old.
One morning this little angel woke up with a swollen eye. Like any parents would, Carly and Yohsan took her straight to A&E expecting to be handed some antibiotics or maybe even some eye drops. Little did they know their world was about to change forever. Following a week of emergency appointments and scary tests Carly and Yohsan sat, holding hands, numbly in shock whilst a consultant informed them their little girl has Optic Pathway Glioma. After hearing three words that made no sense but would change everything, the words we all know and fear as parents started to appear... Tumour, chemo, loss of vision, side affects.
Sienna started chemotherapy treatment straight away and will continue this gruelling course of treatment for the next 18 months. The whole family's life altered beyond recognition as they adapt to caring for Sienna. Instead of planning play dates, Carly and Yoshan are planning for Sienna's numerous hospital appointments - meaning Carly is no longer able to work.
Sienna has amazed everyone around her with her resilience - she has continued to shine throughout her treatment. Every day has the good, the bad and the ugly - whether that be Sienna still finding her beautiful smile even if the chemo has made her feel rotten, taking her first steps just days after starting treatment or the fighting to have chemo lines put in or bursts of anger at the unfairness of her beautiful baby soft hair coming out.
With all the stress and worry that comes with this fight we want to just make it a little easier for Carly and Yoshan - knowing that some of the hospital travel costs are covered or the wee extra costs that pop up at a time like this are covered is invaluable. Losing a wage and juggling the bills and day to day life is tough enough as it is but during a time like this it’s all just that bit harder. If you can help make it any easier, even digging behind the sofa for your loose pennies, it will be so appreciated and put to good use.
If you want to know more about Sienna’s tumour and what’s happening for her at the moment the link below will explain it much better than I can!