Violet Barrie, 9, closes door on two years of chemotherapy

After two years of chemotherapy treatment, nine-year-old Violet Barrie walked out of the cancer ward for the last time on Friday

AFTER two years of chemotherapy treatment, nine-year-old Violet Barrie walked out of the cancer ward for the last time on Friday.

Closing the doors to the children’s oncology ward at Townsville University Hospital was a moment filled with tears of joy, relief and an overwhelming sense of gratitude, Violet’s mum, Kristie Barrie, said.

“It’s a bit surreal that we’re finished and this is where it all started,” she said. “We are excited. The journey is finished and it’s the next stage now in life.

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“For Violet, she won’t have to take tablets every day and if she gets a fever we don’t have to ring up the ward, she can just be a normal child.”

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in August 2018, Violet was rushed to Brisbane within days to begin treatment.

Charters Towers girl, Violet Barrie 9, has had her last session of chemo at Townsville University Hospital, after being diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August 2018. Pictured with dad Matthew, mum Kristi and brother Archie 7. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Violet handled it like a superstar, despite the toll the cancer-killing chemical was having on her body.

“She’s a strong little girl and always had a smile on her face,” Mrs Barrie said.

“There were times where it was difficult because of the chemo that she was getting but you have to stay positive, so that’s what we’ve done.

“She lost strength having chemo, but she was so good, I said, ‘You’re just going to walk there’s no two ways about it.’ So she did.

“We had physio and therapy and I said you’re not going to have a gastric nasal tube down your throat so you’ve got to eat for me and she never complained.”

Support for Violet was felt all the way from their home town in Charters Towers, where her friends made sure she was included.

“Her school played monkey on the chair and so they had a monkey on the chair when Violet wasn’t there,” Mrs Barrie said.

Originally published as Violet Barrie, 9, closes door on two years of chemotherapy