How acts of kindness and compassion were a hope giving difference
Finding out about her cancer
In September 2021, three-year-old Eloise’s grandma noticed a small lump on the side of her head, which steadily grew over the next couple of weeks. After a trip to the GP and local emergency rooms in Cairns and Townsville, Eloise’s family, including her little sister, Hazel, were told to head straight to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. After three weeks of tests, scans and biopsies, Eloise was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma – a very rare type of cancer that forms in the soft tissue.
“When you hear the words ‘it is cancerous’ come out of a clinician’s mouth, it feels like the world stands still. It felt like all the dreams we had for Eloise were shattered.”
– Jessica, Eloise’s mum
Her home away from home
By the time of her diagnosis, Eloise’s tumour had tripled in size, so chemotherapy and treatment started straight away. Her first few rounds of chemotherapy were not effective, so Eloise underwent an eight-hour surgery, involving three teams of surgeons, to remove as much of the tumour as possible.
Living away from their home in Cairns was challenging for the family, who arrived in Brisbane with only a few sets of clothes and toiletries, but support from the Children’s Hospital Foundation allowed Eloise and Hazel to just be kids. Kidzone became one of their favourite places, music therapy helped put a smile on Eloise’s face and Bravery Beads marked her strength and courage through the many procedures. Eloise even befriended a Children’s Hospital Foundation volunteer in the oncology waiting room, who helped her master her playdough creations.
Marking the end of treatment
After 16 months of surgeries, scans, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Eloise received the best possible news – the “all clear” on her scans. She got to mark the end of her treatment and start of remission by ringing the chemotherapy bell at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, surrounded by friends, family, nurses and doctors. She is now back home in Cairns doing her favourite things – riding her bike, reading books and playing with her little sister. She will receive scans every few months to check for any abnormal signs.
The difference that shapes their world
Through supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation, you can improve childhoods and ensure all children and young people have access to treatment - sooner.
