The parents of a seven-year-old girl from Co Down have told of their devastation after what they believed to be bruises from gymnastics led to a heartbreaking diagnosis for their daughter.
Annabel, from Newtownards , was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last year and is currently receiving maintenance treatment.
After starting back at school in 2021, Annabel suffered from several colds, coughs and an ear infection. Parents Tim and Sharon also noticed bruising on her shins.
Having not been able to attend Annabel's gymnastics classes with her due to Covid restrictions, assumed she had gotten the bruises there.
However, later Annabel began to look very pale and became breathless when conducting everyday activities such as climbing the stairs.
Mum Sharon told Belfast Live : "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?'"
Tim and Sharon said they are so proud of their brave little girl as she persevered with her illness, which left her unable to stand or move herself in bed, and her weight dropped significantly.
Sharon said: "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 Belfast Live 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 emphasise 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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