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case study
Kian’s Story
Nine-year-old Kian from Stockport was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). His mum Carrie; tells us about the journey they have been on…
"Kian was two-years-old when we noticed that he was walking with a limp. At first we thought he had a clicky hip, like his dad did when he was a child.
We took Kian to the GP and they referred him to our local hospital, where he underwent a series of tests. That night we were told that he leukaemia and that we would be transferred to the Pendlebury the following morning.
After arriving at Pendlebury, Kian was given blood and platelets and we were told that he had A.L.L and was likely to initially be in hospital for five weeks. I just remember feeling completely helpless. The nurses were brilliant. They really helped us through a difficult day, simply by taking the time to find out how we were feeling.
When Kian had his Hickman line fitted, the whole family named it Dennis to help make it a little less frightening for Kian as he was scared of needles. Kian did lose his hair after receiving an intensive course of chemotherapy, and he also gained weight from taking steroids – at that point all he wanted was garlic bread.
If Kian’s temperature increased we could end up back at the hospital just to make sure that he didn’t have an infection but Kian soon learnt that going back to hospital meant he could go to the playroom for some fun.
We spent three years in and out of the hospital for treatment and check ups; it was like a second home to us all. Three years sounded like a long time when they first told us but you get into a routine and it goes quickly.
Kian’s received the all clear but we continue to go to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for check ups every six weeks.
Looking back Kian coped fantastically; he always had a smile on his face never letting the chemotherapy get him down. He still liked running around although at some points he did find it difficult to walk. The day we were told will always be the worst day but we feel lucky that Kian never got an infection and he never complained – in fact he’s my hero."
