Mums thank you to medical team this International Child Cancer Day
Heidi Parry (5) from Biggar was diagnosed with cancer at age three after mum, Mellissa, and dad, Scott, noticed that she was ‘constantly unwell’, from her third birthday onwards.
Her symptoms included vomiting, lethargy, a spiking temperature and refusing to walk.
After Heidi attended Wishaw General due to being unwell, she was blue lighted to the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC), Glasgow. On arrival, Heidi was given an emergency blood transfusion and a bone marrow biopsy.
The family then received the news of Heidi’s acute leukaemia diagnosis on the 27th of April 2022.
Heidi’s mum, Melissa, explained the initial impact that this diagnosis had on the family.
“When we received the news, our hearts sank. We were angry and terrified that we had somehow caused this, but it was also a relief in a way as we had been trying to get to the bottom of what was wrong with her for so long.
“We’ll never forget Dr Neil Barrett on the Scheihallion Ward at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow. He was the doctor that we first seen when Heidi was blue lighted and was the one that gave us her diagnosis. He was heading on holiday but came in before his flight to break the news to us himself. We will never forget his patience and kindness that he showed us through that initial stage,” she said.
Now aged five, Heidi has been undergoing treatment for nearly two years and is currently in her maintenance phase. This includes weekly trips to either Wishaw General or RHC for blood tests.
Melissa explained that the family hopes that Heidi’s treatment will end this summer.
“Heidi’s treatment should finish on the first of July. In addition to her weekly blood tests and me giving her chemotherapy at home, we also attend a monthly clinic to get intravenous chemotherapy. Last week, Heidi had a lumber puncture and has one more with chemotherapy and a bone marrow to get. That should be her last one until getting her port removed,” she said.
Melissa continued that Heidi is already dreaming about school and running around with classmates.
“Heidi has been so resilient through it all and has taken it better than we have. There have been quite a few bugs going around since the start of winter and we can’t risk her catching anything, so she hasn’t been able to go to nursery, dancing or play with friends outside. It’s been a hard road and she’s missed out on a lot. She has struggled with being isolated.
“Now that her hair is growing back, it’s really cheered her up. She is currently doing well and is really looking forward to starting school in August. She already has everything picked out.
“Outside of the hospital we have a great support network, with our family living close by. Even when we have had to isolate, they are always on Facetime,” she said.
This International Child Cancer Day (15th February 2024), Melissa shares her thanks to the full Schiehallion Ward team at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow and everyone that has been, and continues to be involved in Heidi’s care.
“We have had a lot of stays in the Schiehallion Ward throughout our journey, more than some of the other families from the ward and we are so thankful to everyone involved in our care.
“The doctors are all amazing. Wendy, Judy, Jane, Sarah, and Professor Gibson were the main people that we dealt with. We can’t fault any of them. They’re fantastic. All the nurses and staff on the wards are also great. I couldn’t pinpoint anyone that is more fantastic than the other.
“It isn’t just the medical team that go above and beyond. During our stays in hospital, Emma from the Play Team was fantastic too. She was always so kind. We are also heavily involved with Jak’s Den and have just recently been offered a holiday with Calum’s Cabin, which is lovely,” she said.
