Paige's Story
An accident that injured four year old Paige Hughes’ arm was the start of a nightmare run of injuries for her parents.
“We were going back and forwards to the GPs, the after-hours clinic and the hospital. Paige wasn’t sleeping, none of us were. She was constantly crying from the pain and we were all exhausted.”
The Dunedin youngster fell down the stairs on her birthday, ending up with her right arm in plaster.
A month later she was back in hospital with a suspected irritable hip, in July there was another medical trip to check out a problem with her elbow and then in August it was back to hospital for a suspected bone infection.
Diagnosis & Treatment
After Paige’s blood test results were inconclusive, specialists felt further tests were needed and the family was transferred to hospital in Christchurch.
“We arrived on the Monday, Paige had more tests and on the Wednesday we finally knew what was wrong with her. We didn’t return home for more than two months,” says Sally.
"It was incredibly hard for those first few months, we didn’t know what was wrong and why these injuries kept happening. Then came the diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).”
Paige underwent six weeks of induction chemotherapy, which she responded well to.
Practical Assistance
While Sally stayed with Paige, back home husband Chris had to have surgery on his back as well as look after their then-seven year old son, Blake.
"With Paige and I based in Christchurch for such a long time and Chris incapacitated with his back, we were so grateful to the support we received from friends, family and the wider community.”
For Sally, having her Family Support Coordinator, Christine, to talk to about her concerns in those early, uncertain days was invaluable.
“We can’t thank the Child Cancer Foundation enough for all that they have done for us over this time. The support with food costs was amazing. It is so expensive to have a sick child, especially when you are away from home for a long period of time.”
Despite the rocky start, Paige’s maintenance stage ran fairly smoothly and she finished her treatment on 6 November 2015.
How you can help
The Child Cancer Foundation is a nationwide organisation that works hard to reduce the impact of cancer. A donation from you will help us provide the support families need from that terrible time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond.
Our support is powered by you.