Nancy at home in between hospital visits
Nancy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in May 2023 when she was just three years old. An only child, Nancy and her mum Lisa live with grandmother Sandra Hughes. They are extremely close as a family, so Nancy’s cancer diagnosis has affected them all.
Nancy was extremely poorly before being admitted to hospital
Prior to diagnosis, Nancy was really poorly for around three weeks with frequent visits to the family’s GP to try and find out why she was so unwell.
Nancy’s grandmother Sandra recalls:
“We went to the doctor’s seven times and at one point we were told she had hay fever. Then, after a visit to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, she was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where, after a bone marrow test, we were told Nancy had ALL.
Nancy was in hospital for almost four weeks
Following diagnosis, the hospital gave Nancy an emergency blood and platelets transfusions. They then started her immediately on chemotherapy, steroids and antibiotics. She was in hospital for almost four weeks, which reduced to weekly visits.
Nancy’s mum Lisa couldn’t believe it when she learnt Nancy had cancer:
“When Nancy was first diagnosed I didn’t want to believe it was true. Our lives changed overnight. She was very poorly, suffering from frequent infections and extremely pale. Until the doctors told me that she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, I thought perhaps she just needed some iron tablets or vitamins.
“The hospital started treatment using steroids and chemotherapy straight away. Eventually her hair started to fall out, but for a while she wouldn’t let me cut it off. Finally Nancy allowed me to cut it and was heartbroken. So I cut mine off, too, so she didn’t feel alone.”
It was around this time, when Nancy was at a really low point, that a Kid’s Kit from Cancer Support UK arrived, restoring this little girl’s smile.
“Nancy was so excited to receive her Kid’s Kit from Cancer Support UK – she loved everything in the kit.”
“She tried the yellow Minion socks on straightaway and they help keep her feet cosy and warm, because chemotherapy makes her feet feel chilly. She adores the warmable bunny, which offers soft comforting cuddles when her tummy aches because of treatment. The yo-yo is also hugely popular – it’s a fun distraction from the tedium of hospital visits. Thank you so much for all her gifts.”
Nancy also received a gorgeous heatable sensory Warmies(R) bear, which was sent to her thanks to generous donations to Cancer Support UK’s annual Cuddles for Christmas appeal, which aims to send 1200 warmable cuddly teds to other children with cancer.
Nancy had her last round of chemotherapy in hospital earlier in the year and is now receiving what’s known as maintenance treatment. But it’s far from plain sailing, as she’s had to endure three lumbar punctures and will continue to receive oral chemo until 2025. The good news is that her hair has begun to grow back and she’s been able to attend school more often.
Sandra says: “Nancy never complains about anything and takes it all in her stride. Despite everything she remains a cheerful and positive little girl.”
