18-month-old Brisbane boy Luca Ryan battles acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
A young Brisbane mother says she always knew something was wrong as her second child struggled with meltdowns and pain – now, because of her mother’s intuition, the devastating answer has been uncovered.
Redlands Coast
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A Brisbane mother’s intuition could be what saves her son’s life after her determination to uncover why “something wasn’t right” with her boy uncovered an aggressive cancer, discovered after she was told by doctors that all was fine.
Thornlands mum Jackie Ryan, 29, said her 18-month-old Luca Ryan had always been a fussy baby.
However the numerous meltdowns, tantrums, sicknesses, rashes, temperatures, and more eventually tipped the mum off that there might be something more at play.
“Jackie works part-time and she wasn’t able to go to work much because he kept getting sick and temperatures and rashes but it wouldn’t last long and he’d be fine the next day,”
Mrs Ryan’s best friend, Frances Lang, said.
“If he scratched, he’d get these massive welts. He’d get really upset and emotional and have massive breakdowns.
“She went to the doctors like 10 times in the weeks leading up to his diagnosis. She just couldn’t figure it out but knew deep down that something wasn’t right.”
Last weekend things took a scary turn when Luca struggled to walk while playing.
Mrs Ryan took him to the doctors, who again assured her everything was fine.
But she rushed him to ED shortly afterwards, with a gut feeling something was very wrong.
Scans, X-rays, and blood tests were ordered before a final diagnosis was given about 9pm, Sunday, October 22.
Their baby boy had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
“This news is devastating and absolutely heartbreaking for Jackie and Justin and no parent or baby should have to live this nightmare,” Mrs Lang said.
“They are starting with eight months of very aggressive chemotherapy and all up the current treatment plan is for two and half years.
“The odds are in his favour being so young and them catching it so quickly but they still don’t really know what the future holds and are just taking it day by day.”
Both parents have spent the past week in hospital with their baby boy, while also caring for their four-year-old daughter Mila Ryan.
“Devastated is an understatement … they’ve had their entire world turned upside down,” Mrs Lang said.
“They’re not doing great and are struggling a bit mental health wise … it’s so rough.
“He’s just in so much pain. His joints are sore, he’s inconsolable and sometimes you can’t even touch or hold him.
“The pain medication has helped a little thank goodness.”
Mrs Lang, who lives at Newcastle in NSW, said she was going to stay with the family to help out with meals, cleaning, and Mila for a bit.
“Jackie is such a good, loving and tentative mother,” she said of her best friend.
“She’s feeling guilty that she couldn’t get him diagnosed earlier and being so hard on herself but she’s honestly done everything she can.
“Justin has also just branched out and started a diesel fitting business a few months ago so that’s all got to go on hold so they can be together and support each other through this as a family.”
To help them out, Mrs Lang created a GoFundMe.
“I started the GoFundMe so Justin could have some time off so they could be together, away from work and have time together as a family unit without stressing about money,” she said.
“Hopefully they take as much time as possible.
“They’re such amazing parents and shouldn’t have to go through this. No one should.
“I keep telling her (Jackie) how proud I am of her. She really is such a good mum and listens to her kids and I am so proud of her for advocating for Luca and being his voice when he couldn’t tell them or doctors that something was wrong and going along with her intuition.
“It’s been a very rough week and you just can’t even put yourself in their shoes or begin to see how it feels.”
You can donate to help the family here.
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