Karen talks openly about her two year old daughter and the journey they are now facing whilst also raising a new-born baby. Her daughter was diagnosed with Leukaemia when her new born son was a mere six weeks old.
Her story had such an impact on me so very close to my own childhood. The reality and horror my own parents had to face when my brother was diagnosed at two years of age with Leukaemia.
I was seven and my elder sister was nine. Leukaemia hit our household like a bomb, literally smashing every ounce of fun, happiness and laughter out of our once very happy home, we all changed on that fateful day.
My parents were honest and open every step of the way. If things weren't going well with my brother's treatment they spoke to us, they didn't once fill us with false hope, they simply told us the truth. I suppose it was purely to prepare us for the worst.
My Nan and Grandpa had to step in to look after us, Dad had to work and carry on as best he could, he raced between seeing my sister and I and also trying to keep his business ticking over, whilst checking in on Mom and Jack at every given second that he could muster.
My Mom didn't leave Jack's bedside at the hospital. My Nan became more than just a Nan, we actually relied on her strength to help us through.
We missed our family as we knew it, each and every one of us appreciated life more than we could ever have imagined,
My Nan used to tuck me and my sister into their double bed so we weren't alone,at least we had each other.
My sister and I used to sleep with Mom's clothing with her perfume on it. One evening I decided to take one of her socks and shove other pieces of clothing rolled all rolled tightly up inside of it. One particular night Nan recalls walking in on me kneeling on the floor with my hands pursed together, she said I was begging/praying that Jack would get better, I didn't want him to die.
My Nan said she was useless that night, she burst into tears and had to walk off at the sight of me, the hard reality hit home. We were desperate to have a healthy boy home safe and free from cancer. We wanted some normality back in our lives.
Anyway enough about me, Karen tells her story far better than me. To read Karen's story here's the link
http://ourlifewithleukaemia.blogspot.co.uk/