I was told my toddler just had an infection… but the truth was horrifying – my whole world stopped
A MUM thought her toddler had an infection but was heartbroken when she received the horrifying real diagnosis.
Morgan Berry rushed her daughter Lillianna to hospital on her third birthday after the tot’s breathing became rapid and nose began to bleed.
The 22-year-old was worried about the toddler’s breathing a week before, which prompted a visit to the GP.
Morgan was told Lillianna had a bacterial infection and was to come back in a few days for a follow up.
But in less than 24 hours, the poor tot suffered a nosebleed and the concerned mum rushed Lillianna to hospital.
Once again, they were told the patient had a bacterial infection – but Morgan listened to her mother’s instinct and took her daughter to another hospital.
“I knew there was something wrong. I knew what she was like when she had a viral or bacterial infection and I knew it wasn’t normal,” she told Manchester Evening News.
This second opinion sparked further tests as doctors were concerned Lillianna had sepsis, and placed her into a coma to help battle the infection.
Morgan said: “They said she was a head scratcher; they didn’t understand why she was so poorly.
“They told me she wasn’t well and I need to be strong. I was a mess by this point. I was crying thinking, ‘Oh my God, what’s going to happen?’”
Eventually, specialists at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital discovered the cause of the toddler’s pain.
On January, 27, Lillianna’s 3rd birthday, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer which attacks the monocyte or granulocyte cells.
The devastated mum said: “It was such a shock.
“We were heartbroken; we were all crying. It’s hard to describe the feeling – it was like my whole world stopped and I couldn’t really process it.”
AML is a rare type of cancer, with around 3,100 people diagnosed with it each year in the UK.
The risk of developing AML increases with age and it is most common in people over 75.
The 22-year-old explained she waited the longest 20 minutes of her life to speak with consultants after the diagnosis.
Lillianna was then rushed to the cancer ward at Manchester Children’s Hospital to begin 10-days of chemotherapy at the start of February.
She is scheduled to visit the hospital again in a few weeks for an update on how treatment has progressed.
There is a GoFundMe page set up to help raise money for the family, it reads: “I’m wanting to raise as much as possible to help ease some pressure and stress from Lillianna’s amazing mummy and make their stay somewhat easier.
“This is understandably a heart-breaking and tough time for Morgan and her family, any donation is more than appreciated! Thank you.”
Help and support
There are organisations that offer information, advice and support if you or a family member has been diagnosed with AML.
- Leukaemia Care – you can also call their freephone helpline on 08088 010 444, or email support@leukaemiacare.org.uk
- Cancer Research UK
- Macmillan Cancer Support
Acute myeloid leukaemia
Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Acute leukaemia means it progresses quickly and aggressively, and usually requires immediate treatment.
The symptoms of AML usually develop over a few weeks and become worse over time.
Symptoms can include:
- looking pale or “washed out”
- feeling tired or weak
- breathlessness
- frequent infections
- unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
- losing weight without trying to
Seeking medical advice
- Speak to a GP if you or your child have possible symptoms of AML.
- Although it’s highly unlikely that leukaemia is the cause, these symptoms should be investigated.
- If your GP thinks you may have leukaemia, they’ll arrange blood tests to check your blood cells.
- If the tests suggest there’s a problem, you’ll be urgently referred to a specialist in treating blood conditions (haematologist) for further tests and treatment.
What causes AML?
It’s not clear exactly what causes AML and, in most cases, there’s no identifiable cause.
But some things can increase your risk of getting AML, including:
- previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- exposure to very high levels of radiation (including previous radiotherapy treatment)
- smoking and other exposure to benzene, a chemical used in manufacturing that’s also found in cigarette smoke
- having a blood disorder or some genetic conditions, such as Down’s syndrome