A family has revealed how their lives were turned upside down after their four-year-old son returned from nursery with a temperature, which was subsequently diagnosed as leukaemia. Alfie Phillips was rushed to hospital following a week of continuous fever, where doctors delivered the devastating diagnosis.
His mother, Stacey Dunne, 34, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, explained that the ordeal started with what appeared to be a routine illness. She said: "It was just a mild temperature and there was no indication he might even have a bug. For a week, it stayed very mild and we gave him Calpol to bring it down. He was still himself - eating, drinking and playing. But after a week, his temperature got worse and he became really lethargic. Then he developed a spotty rash, which would be hard to notice if you didn't know him - it just looked like freckles. Because his temperature was over 40 and it wasn't coming down, we rang 111."
Tests in A&E showed something was amiss, as medics warned that Alfie's low platelet count combined with his symptoms could indicate leukaemia. He was moved the following morning to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where a diagnosis of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia was confirmed.
Treatment and Challenges
Stacey said: "At the start of treatment he suffered with fevers that wouldn't come down. We were having to use ice packs to try and get him some relief. He got really traumatised from all the cannulas they attempted to put in. He started having meltdowns anytime anyone in uniform came near him."
Speaking about the youngster, she remarked: "Where do you start with Alfie? He is so outgoing and switched on for a four-year-old. When you first meet him he will pretend to be shy, but once he has warmed up to you he will wind you up and make jokes at your expense just for a laugh. It wouldn't surprise me if his future career was to be a comedian. He is also the sweetest boy. He tells me a hundred times a day how much he loves me and that I'm his bestest girl in the whole world."
Glimpses of Recovery
Nevertheless, Stacey explained that they are starting to witness glimpses of their "old Alfie" returning, aided in part by hospital personnel. She continued: "If it wasn't for the play team, especially Triona who he has taken a shine to, he would be bored stiff. She's also helped him get used to staff taking bloods and giving him treatment."
Alfie is presently receiving treatment in isolation following an adenovirus infection, meaning he cannot leave his hospital room. The diagnosis has resulted in his family spending extended periods away from home and relatives.
Stacey added: "Day to day, this has affected us massively. We can't work, we're miles from home and we can't see his sisters very often, which has been hard. I also have multiple sclerosis and the stress and emotions have made it such an exhausting experience."
Alfie now faces a minimum of one month in hospital receiving intensive chemotherapy, with treatment anticipated to continue for more than two and a half years. After being discharged, he will still need to attend hospital multiple times each week.
Fundraising and Awareness
The family have set up a fundraiser to assist with travel costs, accommodation and household expenses. Stacey said: "People should understand how in the space of a few hours a family's world can be turned upside down. For everyone that has supported us already, we are truly grateful. The kind words, the donations and those just sharing our page have made this all a little bit less stressful for us."
