Jacob’s family story
After many visits to his GP and a trip to A&E, Jacob was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. His Mother had to face the emotional trauma of being with her youngest son through the greatest battle of his life, while knowing that her eldest son was missing out on precious time with her and his baby brother.
Jacob's diagnosis.
Jacob had been suffering with non-stop colds for months. His Mother, Rachel, decided to take him to their GP but was told not to worry and that he was just building up his immunity.
Jacob started waking more overnight and his bed was always soaked with sweat. Rachel then noticed he had a very wobbly walk compared to his friends at playgroup and then little lumps appeared all around his neck. The GP assured Rachel that it was probably just a virus affecting his glands and to come back in 2 weeks if it wasn’t gone by then.
A few days later, he quickly developed a small rash on his chest and she took him straight to the A&E department at Royal Preston Hospital to check it wasn’t meningitis, but it turned out to be petechiae (pinpoint-sized spots of bleeding under the skin or mucous membranes). The hospital kept him in overnight to run tests and then the next day, Rachel was told they’d found “blasts” in Jacob’s blood.
Jacob was then transferred to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he was placed on a bed within the Paediatric Oncology ward. It was only then that Rachel heard the devastating news – her young son had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
When the oncology consultant told me Jacob had blood cancer it felt like the world collapsed on top of us. In an instant I was dealing with shock, denial – I was hoping they’d made a mistake, guilt for not being more insistent with asking my GP to investigate, and the absolutely terrifying, increasing fear that my son may not live through this.
Jacob during treatment.
Family strain.
Rachel needed to be by Jacob’s side 24 hours a day during his treatment, his older brother Tom couldn’t bear to see Jacob and so many other children on the ward suffering, so he was unable to come and visit the hospital. Tom therefore needed to spend long periods of time away from his baby brother and mum, staying with other family members.
As Jacob’s condition improved, Rachel always tried to make the most of the rare days when the whole family could be together. However, the stress of finding these opportunities and hoping Jacob would be well enough for them, made them less enjoyable. It was also financially difficult to fund days out for the two boys because ever since Jacob had been diagnosed, Rachel had to rely on carer’s benefits.
Rachel felt like Jacob and Tom were missing out on an important few years of their lives together – Jacob’s first early years and Tom’s last years of childhood before he went off to college.
Supporting Jacob through his illness really fractured our family.
We were there.
We were able to support Jacob’s family by providing them with a Respite Break at our luxury holiday lodge in the beautiful New Forest. On the day before their holiday Jacob had received his last dose of chemotherapy, so the trip was a chance for the family to recharge after the trauma of treatment, celebrate Jacob’s bravery and start to plan for their future.
I’m so grateful I had the chance to escape with my children, have a wonderful adventure together, and celebrate Jacob’s amazing achievement.
Jacob's family trip.
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