April was diagnosed with leukemia on September 16, 2021, just 4 days before she turned 6 months old. April had a couple of days with low-grade fever so we thought she might be teething. We waited until the 3rd day to talk to the family physician. By then I noticed she had a few tiny bruises on her leg and buttocks. The family physician told us to bring April to the emergency room right away. We didn’t know at the time but I think he knew what was going on with April. In the emergency room, they did blood work (CBC), and shortly after the doctor came in to deliver the news.
Childhood cancer is something not being mentioned or talked about enough. The struggles we face are not only financially but a lot emotionally. Because of the treatment, April has to be inpatient quite a lot thus we have only one parent working. Then the pandemic hospital won’t allow more than one caregiver. We also have an older toddler at home, so it’s a struggle.
The moment we got the diagnosis our world just turned upside down. We were living in a one-bedroom plus den apartment but now we have to get a bigger place because we need to have a cleanroom for April and to have a separate play area for her brother for infection control purposes. We don’t go to family get-togethers. April has not seen the grandparents since diagnosis until just recently.
April is a happy toddler. She waves at everyone she meets whether in the elevator or on the street. She loves to dance and sing.
Hope session by Jenn Inkol | Facebook | Instagram