Cohen’s Leukaemia Journey

Cohen is a 3 year old boy battling Accute lymphoblastic leukaemia. I’m setting up this gofundme to help support the cost of medical, rent & day to day expenses. Cohen & I are far away from home while he receives treatment & every little bit helps in this difficult time. Here’s a bit about our story below.

It all started in late May when the whole family had had a viral infection which we all recovered from. Except for Cohen who continued to have random days with temperatures & very odd vomiting patterns.

I took him to the doctor as he wasn't getting better & was told it was just a viral infection. The vomiting became more aggressive over the next couple of days. I knew it was more than a viral infection.

This particular day he was very ill & I decided I needed another opinion. Due to the time of day the only option was the Hospital. He presented there extremely pale, lethargic & vomiting.

The nurses at the hospital were very thorough checking him. An IV was inserted straight away to start fluids & take blood samples. They were extremely shocked when the blood results came back. Cohen's hemoglobin levels were at 25 & he had low platelets too. They tested multiple times to make sure they were correct.

Due to being severely anemic they started the blood transfusions quickly & moved us right out the front of the nurses station. I still had no idea of the severity of it all at this stage.

The next day we were transferred to an ICU room where he continued to have bloods. He told us they'd been in contact with the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. "Your son has leukaemia" he said.

My heart sank, how can I be reliving this nightmare AGAIN!! I lost my brother Jean-Paul to the same type of leukaemia on the 13th August back in 1997.

We arrived in Melbourne that evening & checked into our room at the Royal Children's Hospital. Within days we found out that Cohen's type was Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (PRE B ALL). The best news was that "It's CURABLE!!"

We stayed there for around 3 weeks while Cohen underwent many lumbar punctures, blood transfusions, platelets which he reacted to, steroids, various oral chemo drugs & a CT Scan.

Since being discharged from the Kookaburra ward we've currently been staying in an isolation unit through Ronald McDonald house in North Melbourne. We attend the Oncology area on a regular basis as an outpatient.

Once we're able to come home, Cohen will continue part treatment back in Mildura. We will still have visits to Melbourne once a month & every 3 months for lumbar punctures. As far as I know this will continue for the next 2 years.

Cohen is my little warrior with the love of the colour pink. He loves lions & many other jungle animals. The song "In The Jungle" has been played many times during yucky procedures to calm him.

Thank you so much for reading & for your support.