Girl, 4, Diagnosed With Cancer Days After Doctor Dismissed Her Sore Throat As Tonsillitis
Four-Year-Old's Cancer Mistaken For Tonsillitis
SWNS
|
A four-year-old girl has been diagnosed with cancer after doctors initially dismissed her illness as tonsillitis.
mother, Shannon Pettit, 20, took her daughter Skyla to their GP after she became pale and lethargic, but was told she had the common throat infection and sent away.
Pettit insisted on blood tests and was horrified when doctors revealed days later her daughter had leukaemia, a cancer that attacks bone marrow.
Pettit said: "It was so scary when Skyla was diagnosed. She is so young. I can't even describe what went through my mind."
Open Image Modal
Skyla is currently undergoing chemotherapy
Skyla's blood cell count was just 34 instead of the average 130 when she was first diagnosed in summer 2015. She is now facing two years of chemotherapy and treatment
Pettit, from Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, said the time between her daughter's diagnosis and the start of her treatment was a whirlwind.
"Two days after going to the doctors she had blood tests at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and then a bone marrow test at Birmingham Children's Hospital," she said.
"For the first six weeks she had to have chemotherapy one day every week at the hospital.
"After her first month of treatment, her legs went weak and she couldn't walk.
"We've been in and out of hospital so much. I just want things to get back to normal. But Skyla is a strong girl.
"Now she has chemotherapy every month, but she also has it in medicine form at home every day.
"Skyla is in and out of school so it's very disruptive to her education. I have to plan everything around Skyla taking her medication."
Skyla's 13-year-old uncle, Kieran Bentley, organised an eight-mile sponsored walk to raise money for Leukaemia CARE and Children with Cancer UK following Skyla's diagnosis.
Kieran said: "It came as a real shock when we found out Skyla had leukaemia.
"She had been ill for a bit, but we just didn't know what was wrong."
Open Image Modal
Skyla Barker with her grand-aunt Alison Hollran and uncle Kieran Bentley
Kieran's mum, Alison Hollran, 50, said: "I see Skyla everyday. We were devastated when she was diagnosed with leukaemia and still don't know if she's going to pick up.
"She has always been running about, an extremely happy child. But it got to the stage where she didn't move at all.
"She was lethargic and didn't want to get up from the sofa and I instantly knew something was wrong."
Pettit, who also has a one-year-old son, Bentley, added: "Kieran and Skyla have always been incredibly close.
"He understands what she's going through, but Skyla doesn't really, not properly.
"Bentley knows Skyla is poorly but how can you ever properly explain things."
Royal Stoke University Hospital consultant paediatrician Dr Sarah Thompson said: "Skyla has responded well to her initial treatment so we would be quite positive she will have a very good outcome.
"Despite being so young, she has been coping with this incredibly well. She's a gorgeous little girl."
Pettit added: "In two years' time my wish is that she will stop her treatment and be clear, I know she will.
"She will beat this leukaemia, and then, I hope, never have to face it again."
My Talan. He's a leukemia warrior. He's 8 years old and he's just a regular kid. We call them "warriors" and "heroes" and "fighters" but really they're just kids... kids who are fighting a battle much bigger than any of us and nobody asked them if they were up to it. So when I say he's a regular kid it's because the worst part of his treatment is over and he's getting back to doing the only thing he should have to do right now. He's being a kid.
This photo was taken a year to the date and I've never been able to get over the difference in his appearance. These kids live through hell. The worst part is knowing that as a parent you can only walk so far down that road with them. Talan would get sick to the point of bile. I wanted to comfort him so I'd reach out to rub his back or touch his neck with a cool rag but he'd put his hand up and without looking at me, in the best voice he could muster he'd say "No." That was the most profound moment as a parent caring for a child with cancer. He had to do the really bad parts alone and I could only watch. -- Tevin Yarger (credit:Tevin Yarger)
(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
This is my daughter Kasydi. She was diagnosed with ALL last year on July 15th at just 3 years old. It took two months of her constantly being sick to get her diagnosed with something other than anemia. As you can tell from this picture she is a very smiley little girl. She's so strong and brave. I am so proud to be her mom. -- Krystal Stephenson (credit:Krystal Stephenson)
(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
I have a 4-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 2 1/2. Her name is Reese.
After that she had a failed chemo and another couple brain surgeries. We started new chemo and shrinkage for those 16 months. Her last chemo was April.
She has been in the hospital for a month for assumed meningitis, she was in septic shock another month. She shared an IV pole with me when I gave birth to our baby girl last December.
She is my middle monkey of my five under 8, and a huge piece of my heart. -- Amanda Skelte (credit:Amanda Skelte)
(04 of10)
Open Image Modal
Our son Joey was diagnosed with ALL when he was 3 years old. We are coming up on his one-year diagnosis anniversary, and we have treatment planned through January 23, 2017. Joey loves nothing more than his big sister and every single one of her interests. -- Angie Worzala (credit:Angie Worzala)
(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
My youngest out four kids is fighting brain cancer medullablastoma. His tumor was removed completely. His name is Isaac and he's 7 years old. He finished six weeks of proton radiation/chemo and he has to complete six rounds of chemo. He has completed two rounds. He has definitely brought out the strength in me. He is so giving, caring, and he is my hero. I have always known there was no bigger love than a mothers love for her children and this reassured me that. -- Nilsa Dominguez (credit:Nilsa Dominguez)
(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
This is my son, Connor, 10 months after being diagnosed with DIPG. He looks healthy and full of life, right? That's because the only course of treatment for this terminal on diagnosis cancer is radiation treatment. Radiation is a palliative measure to buy time and results in minimal hair loss.
He lived 16 months from diagnosis and died less than six months after this picture was taken. In fact, he looked so healthy, at our Make-A-Wish trip to Disney, we were politely asked (over six times) to move from the "special line." He looked normal but was much worse off than those who had treatment options. -- Mariam Johnson (credit:Mariam Johnson)
(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
Here is our story about my 3-year-old daughter's cancer survival and miracle.
Grace was diagnosed soon after birth with neuroblastoma stage 4s. The 37 week ultrasound showed an abnormality and soon followed 3 full weeks until delivery of anxiety, more ultrasounds, so many doctors, and no answers.
She was born healthy (it seemed) on her due date and came home with us days after. She showed no signs of stress except a lag in gaining weight. At 4 weeks old her left adrenal gland was removed and found to be lemon sized. The following treatment was a wait-and-see approach since 4s can spread all throughout the body without pain or ill effects. The cancer spread to her liver, right adrenal gland, and God knows where else in her body. We had the least invasive approach of regular ultrasounds and frequent check ups at Portland Oregon's OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital.
At 10 months old, without chemo or radiation, with only love, this precious miracle tested cancer free. She's been cancer free since.
Grace is an amazing person to experience and she lives life full speed ahead. -- Sophie Grow (credit:Sophie Grow)
(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
My daughter, Caliah, was diagnosed with ALL leukemia at the age of 3 in 2010. She is four years in remission now. Cancer has changed our lives and opened our eyes to the awareness we need to have. We are very blessed that Caliah responded to well to therapy and is a healthy 7-year-old now. -- Mindy Russell (credit:Mindy Russell)
(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
Almost three years ago, my (then) 3-year-old daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It was caught through a blood test. Within days, my seemingly healthy child was fighting for her life.
I am happy to say that today, at the age of 5, Maya is cancer free. She finished chemotherapy this past June and began kindergarten a few days ago. Aside from some complications as a result of the intense chemotherapy she received, Maya is doing well and we hope it will remain that way always. We will forever live with the fear of her cancer returning though. Our entire world has changed and we are incredibly grateful that our daughter is still with us. We know how different things could be. -- Jo-Ann Annunziato (credit:Jo-Ann Annunziato)
(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
My son Simon was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney at 12 months. He braved seven months of chemo and was off treatment for two years when he developed an inoperable brain tumor earlier this year.
He is finishing treatment of intense chemo and had 28 radiation treatments. He has endured three surgeries including having his right kidney removed. He hates his pokes but has gotten so brave. I hate that he thinks this is normal and feels everyone is staring at his bald head. -- Gretchen Leavitt (credit:Gretchen Leavitt)