In October 2009, our daughter Mia at just 4 months old, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).  

Specialists at Addenbrooke's Hospital told us that Mia had to be admitted immediately, a hickman line had to be inserted and that she faced various tests and treatment to ascertain the extent of the disease.  

Nothing could have prepared us for the shock and in that moment our world came crashing down around us. We were completely and utterly devastated, and our lives were turned upside down and inside out to hear that our beautiful little baby girl had such a deadly disease. At only 4 months old, Mia’s life had barely begun so how it was even possible that something so cruel could happen to a helpless little baby. We just couldn’t understand how this could happen to someone so tiny, young and precious.  

I remember, we thought, this is just a terrible nightmare that we would wake up from, but it wasn’t and we had to face the realisation that we were actually living this nightmare for real. As we tried to get our heads round this shattering and terrifying news, we also had to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead. We were told that Mia faced some very gruelling treatment that would make her very sick and that she had to stay in Addenbrooke's throughout her treatment.  

As Mia began treatment immediately, we had to try and adjust to life on the ward at Addenbrooke's, as this was to become our home for months to come, for the duration of Mia’s treatment.  

Following initial tests, as Mia’s parents we quickly had to come to terms with the fact that she had been placed at very high risk for her disease, because her Leukaemia was so aggressive and much harder to treat in babies of her age. We were also informed that Mia needed to go through an initial induction course of chemotherapy to try and bring her Leukaemia under control, and by the end of this period she needed to be in remission before doctors could offer further treatment, and a much needed bone marrow transplant at the end of her treatment.   

We knew we had a long mountain to climb and with the love, strength and support from my family and dear friends we were determined to get Mia through the long and tough journey we had ahead of us.  

In November 2009, at the end of her induction course we were ecstatic to receive the news that Mia’s cancer was in remission, allowing doctors to offer further treatment.    

She then began three blocks of very intensive chemotherapy which finished in April 2010. Although Mia became very unwell at stages through her treatment, she responded remarkably well, never losing her happy disposition and throughout her stay at Addenbrooke's she won the hearts of everyone – consultants, doctors, nurses, the other children on the ward and their parents, even the cleaners.  

Mia was now so close to her bone marrow transplant, that was vital for any chance of long term survival, and this was scheduled for May 2010 at Great Ormond Street Hospital. We still knew however we had a tough road ahead, but we had hope and the doctors felt confident.   

Mia was finally allowed to go home for three weeks to await her transplant at Great Ormond Street, but after nine days she was re-admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital with a very high temperature. The doctors discovered that she had three infections and had also relapsed. 

Mia then started a course of intensive relapse chemotherapy, and the weeks that followed were unbearable, as she battled to not only fight the infections but also the disease. Mia became extremely unwell during this time but the worst was yet to come.  

Our world came crashing down yet again, when we were informed the relapse chemotherapy failed to work, and we faced the realisation and devastation that Mia would be taken from us. She was not well enough to undergo the Transplant. There was absolutely nothing more that we or the doctors could do, not even all the love in the world could save her. The only option left for us was to the find strength to get Mia through her final days, knowing that we had little time left with her, and the day would come when we had to say our goodbyes.  

Over the next few days, we nursed Mia through the most difficult time of her journey so far, making sure along with the doctors, that she was as comfortable as possible. We shared the most precious moments, that would become our most priceless and treasured memories forever.  

It was now June 2010, Mia’s first birthday was coming up and she was beginning to deteriorate very fast. Our beautiful daughter got to celebrate her first and only birthday, and just days after Mia gave up her fight and slipped peacefully away in my arms with her daddy holding us both tightly.  

Mia was truly amazing, such a fighter and so brave throughout her journey. 

Everyone who knew her describes her as the most beautiful baby who could light up the darkest room. She touched the lives of everyone who met her. 

Mia is a daughter we will always love with all our hearts and be so very proud of. There isn’t a day that goes by that we do not think of her and wish that she was here with us now. We miss her more than anything in the world and we are determined to keep Mia’s legacy alive and ensure she is never forgotten. 

Mia, we wear your heart in ours baby girl and always will – sleep tight our little Angel, love always & forever, your mummy, daddy, little sister Kyra and brother Nate x x x 

 

 

 

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