Little Daisy Sayers faces the prospect of two years treatment after doctors discovered she had a rare form of leukaemia, which her parents mistook for flu
THE parents of a two-year-old girl thought she’d just picked up a virus when she developed flu-like symptoms but were horrified to discover it was something far worse.
Daisy Sayers' family dismissed the early signs when the tot became ill but her mother, Melissa, and father, Chris, both 36, became more concerned when she struggled to walk and took her to hospital.
The family, from Peterlee, County Durham, were told Daisy had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a condition that progresses rapidly and aggressively and requires immediate treatment including chemotherapy.
Daisy was rushed to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) for treatment.
Mechanical engineer Chris told : “She had flu-like symptoms and was coughing and feeling sick - she just wasn't herself.
“We decided one day to take her for a walk but she didn't want to go and didn't want to walk anywhere.
“She'd had bruises on her hairline and I'd done a bit of Googling and we hoped it wasn't leukaemia.
“We decided to go to accident and emergency, we waited all day and that's when we were told it was leukaemia.
“As soon as she was diagnosed she was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary for a blood transfusion.”
Chris continued: “She has to undergo chemotherapy and gets lumber punctures. The treatment changes from month to month.”
Daisy has received loving support from her family, including older sister Poppy, 7.
Chris said: “You never think this type of thing will happen to your own children.
“We have had our ups and downs but at the moment we really take each day at a time.
“Daisy is brave and we're all so proud of how she is handling this.
“Some days are quite hard for her depending on the course of treatment.”
He added: “She basically has no immune system so can be in hospital if her temperature spikes.
“It can happen quite quickly and the RVI keep her in for three days.'
Now, Chris is preparing to run the Sunderland City Half Marathon to "give something back" to a charity that's supported his family during this difficult time.
Chris will run the race in May for CLIC Sargent which helps families limited the damage cancers causes beyond their health.
From diagnosis, CLIC Sargent's specialist care teams step in to provide a package of support tailored to each young cancer patient and their family.
Chris, who ran the Sunderland 10K in 2016, said: “I'm a keen runner and wanted to give something back to a fantastic charity which has been so helpful during these early days of treatment.
“I'm hoping to raise as much as possible for CLIC Sargent and hope people will get behind me and offer their support."
The Run Sunderland Festival 2018 will take place on May 13. You can donate .
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