Caitlin's story

After a blood test, we got her diagnosis the next day

My daughter, Caitlin, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) when our family was living in Warsaw, Poland.

The nurse called from school to tell me that Caitlin, who was five years old at the time, was sick. She’d fallen asleep in class. She’d seemed unusually pale that morning when I dropped her off. Over the previous two months, Caitlin had had a few rounds of antibiotics for common illnesses. But even though she recovered after each round, I knew she wasn’t 100%.

After a blood test, we got her diagnosis the next day. Then we had to make some big decisions fast! The medical facilities at the Polish cancer centre were below modern, Western standards, and parents were not allowed to stay overnight with their child.

We knew we had to find better treatment but Caitlin’s blood counts were so low that she needed a blood transfusion before we could leave safely. We were put in a room with three other children. Although there was no room for me to sleep, I shared the bed with Caitlin that night.

I’m American but, because Caitlin’s father is Swedish, she was allowed to receive treatment in Sweden. The next day we were flown in an air ambulance to the Lund University’s Children’s Hospital in the South of Sweden.

I left Poland forever without saying goodbye to my three other children at home and without being able to pack a suitcase. The rest of the family moved to Sweden two weeks later.

My daughter has received outstanding care at the Hospital in Lund. Caitlin’s prognosis is 80% which is a remarkable statistic considering that leukaemia was basically incurable in the 1960s.

little girl smilling

Caitlin’s chemotherapy lasted for two and a half years

Caitlin’s chemotherapy lasted for two and a half years. During our first year we spent over 100 nights in the hospital.

In most circumstances this much time in a hospital would be unimaginable and depressing, but it hasn’t been that experience at all. The hospital is cheerful and uplifting, fresh and modern, with an incredible staff of nurses and doctors readily available.

Chemo to the Rescue – a children’s book about leukaemia

Spending time at the Lund hospital was as positive an experience as it can be. There was a play therapy playroom which is a paradise for kids. It’s a fantastic place where you can paint on the wall, build things out of wood, bake a cake, or participate in an interactive puppet show.

It was during our time in play therapy that I started drawing pictures for a children’s book on leukaemia. Caitlin also contributed drawings. I have finally succeeded in publishing our book – Chemo to the Rescue: a children’s book about leukaemia. We hope that our book will encourage other children undergoing treatment, by providing a positive outlook to chemotherapy and hospital life.

Luckily, Caitlin has responded very well to treatment. She lost her hair for a year but it has grown back. She is as energetic as any other young girl and looks back on her treatment as a challenging yet positive experience.

Chemo to the Rescue Book
Chemo post

November 2019 update from Caitlin: my dream is to become a doctor

I will be turning be 20 years old on the 15th of November. I am currently studying Genetics at Queen Mary University of London in the hopes to later get into a graduate programme in medicine to become a doctor. My experience of having Leukaemia at the age of five has greatly influenced this choice, as my life at the hospital was a difficult yet positive experience.

Advances in medicine and research is a great motivation for me. The five-year survival rate for childhood ALL has rapidly increased from 60% to 90% (NIH, 2017), with remarkable medical advancements. Having the privilege to be born at a time where treatment is extremely successful and in a society with accessible healthcare, I am more than thankful, and this is what impels me to work in medicine and with a community which has given me so much.

girl standing in front of sea

How you can help

If you’ve been touched by Caitlin’s journey, help us invest in the high quality research that really matters which would otherwise go unfunded.

This helps to support children with cancer so they can be with their families for longer.

Donate Now       Fundraise Here

 

Have you or a family member been affected by childhood cancer?

Many of our supporters have been affected by childhood cancer – either through family, friends or their own personal experience. These patient stories can help inspire others to get involved with us, or can support our media work.

If you have a story that you would like to tell, please contact us by email.

Newsletter icon
Newsletter icon

Sign up to our e-newsletter today

Sign up to our e-newsletter and receive exclusive stories straight to your inbox. You will also find out about our latest childhood cancer research news along with updates on our fundraising events, charity news and opportunities to support us. Don’t miss out!

By signing up to this newsletter I agree to receive general and financial appeal emails from Children with Cancer UK