Adelaide toddler Khloe Antonello’s tiny bruise leads to devastating diagnosis
An Adelaide mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when bruising under her 16-month-old daughter's eye led to a devastating cancer diagnosis that has turned their world upside down.
When a bruise under her 16-month-old daughter’s eye refused to heal, Carla Antonello knew something was wrong but what doctors discovered was far worse than she imagined.
Just over two weeks ago, Ms Antonello, 38, took Khloe to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital emergency department expecting a “quick visit” for answers.
But within 24 hours, her “loving and funny” little girl was diagnosed with high-risk stage M neuroblastoma – a rare and aggressive childhood cancer.
“It came as a real shock. It’s turned our world upside down,” Mrs Antonello said.
She first noticed slight bruising under Khloe’s left eye in early October which she initially chalked up to rough play with her sister, Sienna, 2.
Khloe was taken for a blood test and prescribed antibiotics to treat what doctors thought was a sinus infection.
But within a few days, bruising had started under Khloe’s right eye and her left eye appeared to be “slightly bulging.”
“I Googled bruising under the eye along with the low blood cell count, so I asked if it could be the dreaded C word and (the doctor) assured me no,” Mrs Antonello said.
They then found a small bump on Khloe’s right temple and that her bruises had turned “yellow and puffy.”
Knowing something wasn’t right, Mrs Antonello took Khloe to hospital where she has remained since.
Over the past month, Khloe has already completed her first five-day cycle of chemotherapy, had surgery and several blood transfusions.
“She has shown so much strength and resilience and still smiled and played through her chemo treatments,” Mrs Antonello said.
“She is one of the strongest kids I know, she is our angel baby. Everyone who meets her absolutely adores her.”
But there’s still a long road ahead for Khloe who will need multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
“We are standing strong in our faith and trusting she will get through with the support of the great medical team she has,” Mrs Antonello said.
While Khloe undergoes treatment, Mrs Antonello has stopped working to care for her full-time.
Her husband Matt, 40, has also taken time off work to care for Sienna and their eldest daughter Jasmine, 13.
In the meantime, the family has started a GoFundMe to help make ends meet which has raised over $52,000.
“The support we have received is incredible,” Mrs Antonello said.
“It feels like a reminder that we’re not walking this path alone – that there are angels on earth standing with us, speaking healing over her, and helping us lift her toward brighter days.”
For now, the family are taking things day by day and preparing to spend Christmas in the hospital.
You can support the family, here.
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