Hopes the end is in sight for Scarborough girl to beat cancer
Six year-old Evie Armstrong was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last year
Last updated 17th Sep 2021
The family of a Scarborough girl is hoping the end is in sight in her journey to beating cancer.
Six-year-old Evie Armstrong felt unwell and had developed bruises in August 2020 before she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
She has been receiving treatment in hospital ever since, including a bone marrow transplant five months ago.
Katy Armstrong, Evie's mum, said:
"The doctor wanted to send us to Scarborough A&E just to get some extra blood tests and then we got an ambulance ride over to Leeds Children Hospital, where we had some further tests. This was on a Thursday morning and by Thursday afternoon we were on an ambulance going over there and by the Saturday she started her chemotherapy.
"Having to ring my husband from Scarborough Hospital to tell him the news was pretty difficult. Her stays in hospital meant that we sort of stayed in for about five to six weeks at a time, and then maybe four to five days at home and then she'd go back for another set. We did five rounds of that.
"We found out that although the chemotherapy was working, it wasn't working as well as we'd hope so she went forward to have a bone marrow transplant at the end of April and we're still there.
"The actual transplant itself couldn't have gone better but as a result she's got something called GVHD which is where the cells attack each other and it's manifested in her gut, so we've just got a few complications which we're currently working through but we're hoping the end is in sight. It might be a very small speck on the horizon but the end is in sight.
"This has now become our life for the last 12 months. I won't say we're getting used to it but we've adapted to the new routine. We can't spend time together so Simon husband and I can't be on the wards together so we literally wave at each other as we pass in the corridor.
"Parents know. You have a gut feeling when there's something not right with your child, especially the times that we're in at the moment where health care services are so stretched and it's difficult to get appointments, don't be afraid to sort of push. I'd just urge parents to not dismiss symptoms if they're worried and query things with a doctor."
Armstrong family supported by Candlelighters
The Armstrong family have been supported by Candlelighters, a Yorkshire childhood cancer charity, who are raising awareness and funds to continue the work it does.
It is part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September and the charity aims to help increase the awareness of childhood cancers, as well as the work they do and the support they offer to families across Yorkshire.
It says that each year, over 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer. When a child is diagnosed, lives are turned upside down instantly: not just for the child but the entire family. Getting well again can be a long and challenging journey, emotionally, physically, and financially.
It adds that supporting children and families throughout that journey is why the charity was formed more than 40 years ago. Their mission is to bring light to every family affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire by providing emotional, practical and financial support, as well as bringing hope, by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer"
The charity’s campaign throughout the month, encourages families and supporters to help raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, such as continued, unexplained weight loss, increased swelling or persistent pain in the bones, joints, back, or legs and development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash which are just a few of the changes in a child’s body that can signal a problem that may need medical care.
In addition to raising awareness, CCAM is also a way for Candlelighters to raise the vital funds needed to be able to support children and families through a cancer diagnosis as well as investing in vital research. You can find out more on their website: https://www.candlelighters.org.uk/ccam/
As well as CCAM, over the next few months, the charity celebrates its 45th anniversary.
CEO, Emily Wragg, said:
“It is vital that we create a brighter future for children diagnosed with cancer to improve survival rates but also that they survive better. For many children that survive cancer, they suffer long term impacts from the disease which can affect them for their whole life. We are have invested in vital research for nearly 40 years now and will continue to do so to achieve our vision.”
Katy Armstrong added:
"As I couldn’t stay on the ward with Evie’s Dad, Simon, Candlelighters were able to provide us with some overnight accommodation at The Candlelighters Cottage. This is a beautiful self-catering shared accommodation, home from home, available to families with children receiving treatment in hospital. We are very grateful for all the help they provide and we are able to see first-hand what wonderful work they do! Simon and I were able to have our first dinner together in 6 months and spend some valuable family time with Evie!”