‘Utter shock’: Teenager Claire Carson’s lost appetite leads to devastating cancer diagnosis

Claire Carson’s parents couldn’t imagine what was really wrong when she suddenly lost her appetite and started to feel weak.

Teenager Claire Carson is fighting for life after being diagnosed with leukaemia only a few weeks ago.

After a number of weeks battling symptoms of no appetite and weakness her family thought their 13-year-old daughter may have been suffering of anaemia.

But when the doctor called the same day after a blood test and ordered Claire to present at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital emergency room the following morning for further tests, they couldn’t imagine what occurred next.

“I don’t think there was any expectation that’s what was happening,” Laura Carson, Claire’s aunt told The Advertiser.

“They knew Claire wasn’t well but the diagnosis of cancer...it was utter shock.”

Claire Carson is 13 years old and has been recently diagnosed with leukaemia. Picture: Supplied by family

She began treatment immediately after being told she had cancer. Picture: Supplied by family

After young Claire was given the news she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia she began treatment immediately.

“Life had literally changed overnight for their family,” Ms Carson said.

“For Claire the reality of this is not a quick fix, this is not something that will be over in a week or two, this is something that she’s going to be facing and battling for the next few years.”

Claire stayed at WCH for a week before she could return to her family home in the Adelaide Hills and continue treatment at a local hospital.

“Claire’s been very brave and very strong but she’s had moments of also feeling like I don’t want to do this and I want this to be over,” Ms Carson said.

Claire has been nicknamed “Sassy Claire” on the hospital wards. Picture: Supplied by family

She has been asking the doctors and nurses questions about her illness and treatment to learn everything there is to know about it all. Picture: Supplied by family

While there are low points Claire has established incredible relationships with the doctors and nurses as she learns everything she can about her illness and treatment.

“She loves to talk and she’s been asking lots of questions about her diagnosis and about treatment,” Ms Carson said.

“She’s gotten to know people and has built a reputation around the ward as ‘Sassy Claire’, she just loves it...being involved in what’s happening as opposed to just sitting back and letting her parents ask all the questions, she’s always interested in what’s coming next.”

Only on Wednesday Claire took a turn for the worst developing sepsis and was rushed to the WCH ICU in a critical condition where she remains, now in a stable condition.

“This past week has been a bit of a setback but it’s not uncommon for children who are going through chemotherapy when their immune systems are low and they’re fighting so hard through really intense treatment,” Ms Carson said.

Claire’s mum, who works in education has needed to stop working to care for her daughter full time, while her dad, who is a teacher, has taken time off work to be there for his family.

If you’d like to donate to the Carson family you can here.

Originally published as ‘Utter shock’: Teenager Claire Carson’s lost appetite leads to devastating cancer diagnosis