The parents of a Co Down girl who was diagnosed with leukaemia aged six have told of their heartbreak.
Annabel from Newtownards, who is now seven, is an energetic child who loves gymnastics and tennis and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last year.
Parents Tim and Sharon have told how proud they are of their brave daughter who is currently receiving maintenance treatment.
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They have also explained their efforts to keep their daughter as safe as possible and the need to keep social interaction to a minimum.
Annabel had a few colds, a cough and an ear infection after she started back to school in September 2021.
Her parents also had noticed bruises on her shins. Due to Covid restrictions, they were unable to be in the gym while she was doing her gymnastics and assumed the bruises had come from that.
Annabel later started to look very pale and became quite breathless whenever climbing the stairs.
Mum Sharon said: "On Saturday, November 20 Annabel had a really high temperature during the day, a cough and then in the evening we noticed a faint rash on her face, ankles and arms. We called an ambulance fearing it was meningitis and travelled to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Again, due to Covid restrictions, only one parent was allowed to be with Annabel in the ambulance and in the hospital A&E department.
"After the medical investigation was complete, I was called in to discuss Annabel’s diagnosis. When the doctor uttered the words ‘your daughter has leukaemia’ I burst into tears. My mind was racing. I was in shock and disbelief that this was happening. I phoned my husband, Tim, to give him the devastating news and when he arrived at the hospital, Annabel was admitted immediately to the children’s Haematology Unit where treatment started straight away.
"To say our world was turned upside down is an understatement. Seeing your child receiving medicines, having multiple side effects from those medicines, going through surgical procedures, scans, multiple blood transfusions, and the isolation and mental trauma that can come from such fear and anxiety left us feeling helpless. We felt confused, angry, heartbroken and really overwhelmed with all the medical information. I asked myself countless times 'how are we ever going to get through this?'"
Annabel's mobility has been badly affected and at one stage, she wasn’t able to stand or move herself in bed.
Sharon continued: "Her weight had dropped significantly and she suffered badly from side effects from the medicines. Tim and I had little time for ourselves as Annabel needed 24/7 care and this definitely put a huge strain on us.
"Not long after Annabel was diagnosed, Regina at Cancer Fund for Children contacted us. It was great to talk to someone who understood what we were going through. We soon came to realise that we weren’t alone, that there were people there to listen and support us as a family. Tim took part in a parent’s webinar about dealing with the rollercoaster ride of childhood cancer which helped him a great deal."
The family have been offered the support of Cancer Support Specialist Hannah - who mum Sharon has described as a "ray of sunshine".
"Hannah visits our home regularly and has helped Annabel so much with managing her fears and anxieties. Annabel feels so comfortable with Hannah. She is such a ray of sunshine coming in to our home and has given us so much support as a family. She’s so kind, caring and easy to talk to. Annabel says it’s like having a big sister around when Hannah’s with her. We are so lucky to have Hannah in our lives," The Co Down woman said.
Dad Tim told Be how keeping Annabel safe is constantly on their minds as "everything is a risk".
He said: "She shouldn't have to go through this, she is braver than any adult I know.
"Annabel has been to a toy shop once in nine months... we had to get in and out before any crowds started.
"We haven't been out for dinner, to a coffee shop, cinema... you visit maybe two families, that's it.
"Home, hospital and school. School is her class, that's it.
"It's all risk. Everything is a risk. If I see somebody walking towards us with a cough, you turn her away. You have to be completely monitoring everybody."
Sharon added: "Annabel finds it hard too because she has had so many restrictions with Covid and she just wants to be a normal 7-year-old.
"It's hard, even with busy playparks, we don't go in, just to keep her as safe as we can.
"[We are so grateful] for the support we've had. We are not a family to ask for help but they've been so supportive to us."
Tim continued: "There are other charities there that have helped [too]. Ones who have provided bandanas to Annabel when she had no hair..."
Sharon added: "And financial support to help make her smile."
During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Tim and Sharon are emphasising to other families that "you are not alone".
They said: "It’s a rollercoaster of a journey but there’s lots of support on offer to help you along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help."
If you would like to support children and young people during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, purchase a charity wristband here or donate here .
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