Scarlett's Story

Scarlett was 12 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblast leukaemia on the 15th July 2022.

Scarlett was getting ready for school when she fainted in the kitchen and after taking her to the hospital they initially thought that’s Scarlett was anaemic and was told to take iron tablets to help improve it.

We asked for a second opinion and blood test were taken that recealed that Scarlett had leukaemia.

We were all devastated as family, Scarlett was then transferred to the paediatric unit where she received lots of fluids as she was dehydrated.

Three days later, we were transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and this is where Scarlett began her 2 1/2 year treatment plan. She had multiple blood transfusions to deal with her anaemia and also received multiple bags of platelets as a haemoglobin and platelet level were dangerously low.

After three week’s of treatment, Scarlett was allowed to return home and carry on her chemotherapy journey and only returning to hospital weekly for treatment.

4 months into treatment Scarlett’s developed a blood clot on her brain (CVST) due to side affects of treatment. After a week in hospital with monitoring and blood thinners started Scarlett was once allowed back home again.

Scarlett then started treatment to help improve her liver function and responded well to this, she is now halfway through her treatment course and is responding well in maintenance.

There been many highs and many lows during Scarlett treatment from severe back pain from multiple lumber punches, losing her hair to the news that we were in remission, but throughout it, all Scarlett has maintained her humour, and always looked at the positive side during treatment, she is now re-attending full-time education, and is back to most of her day-to-day life before her illness.

Scarlett is due to finish treatment August 2024. Thank you to everyone for allowing us this wonderful break