A MUM has shared her horror after her eight-month-old baby was diagnosed with a rare cancer – after displaying “typical” symptoms including teething.
Ashley Beauregard, 33, started her son Aiden was fussy and teething after a family holiday.
Ashley Beauregard, 33, grew concerned when she noticed her eight month old son looking pale and acting fussier than normalJam Press
Jam PressThe little tot was diagnosed with a rare type of blood and bone marrow cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia[/caption]
Jam PressAiden underwent ‘countless’ procedures, including a bone marrow transfer – but the donor’s cells began attacking his own[/caption]
The tot was actually suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) – a rare type of blood and bone marrow cancer – which he was diagnosed with in March 2022.
Aiden, now two, is now in remission, but doctors have warned that he will most likely relapse due to the genetic mutation element.
Now, his mum has spoken out, sharing the worryingly typical symptoms her son was experiencing.
“Aiden had been sick with a cough, extra fussy, and teething – we just assumed he was dealing with typical eight-month-old things,” Ashley, from Michigan, US, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“However, a couple of days after our trip to Pittsburgh in March 2022, I began to think his colouring was off.
“We went over to my parents to visit, and they also pointed out how pale he was.
“I called his paediatrician, and we got an appointment for the following day.”
After that, the mum’s worst fears came to life.
“Tests there showed that his haemoglobin was extremely low, and they told us to take him to the emergency room,” Ashley recalled.
“There, they ran a complete blood count (CBC).
“His white blood count came back so high it was obvious he had leukaemia, and we were then in the hospital for 36 days.
“Life as we knew it was over. I felt absolute fear.”
‘Countless’ treatments
Doctors diagnosed Aiden with ALL and explained that his is even more rare as it harbours a genetic mutation.
They also explained that his earlier symptoms – primarily prolonged sickness, paleness, and being fussy and irritable – were warning signs.
Leukaemia can often go under the radar as symptoms can be similar to other, less serious illnesses.
Ashley said: “We have spent 236 days inpatient and countless clinic days in the hospital trying to battle the cancer with protocols, but unfortunately, Aiden has relapsed multiple times.
“He had CAR-T immunotherapy that failed after 16 days.
“He also had a bone marrow transplant which failed after two months.
“He has had countless blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, MRIs, CT scans, etc, and although he’s currently in remission, we’ve been told won’t last.
“Five months after his transplant, he is now dealing with graft versus host disease.”
This happens when bone marrow from a donor reacts against the body of the person receiving it, according to Cancer Research UK.
The donated cells see the host’s cells as foreign and start to attack them, causing an itchy or painful rash that can be accompanied by diarrhoea, loss of appetite and stomach cramps.
Aiden’s mum said: “His entire body has basically broken out in a rash, but he’s been on steroids and immunosuppressants for over a month now, and we are seeing improvement.”
‘Every moment counts’
Ashley and her husband Marcus, 36, are focused on enjoying every moment with Aiden and their eldest son Declan, 5.
She added: “For the first year, our family life was turned upside down.
“My husband was taking care of our four-year-old while I was in the hospital caring for Aiden.
“It’s changed the way I wanted to parent.
“It’s also made me find joy in the mundane and truly look for the good because every moment counts.
“I’m so proud of my family for surviving this hell and finding ways to smile and laugh.
“Even though Aiden is still so happy and full of joy, he has been through more than anyone I know.
“He might not complain about things, but I think that’s because he doesn’t know any better.
“He understands things normal kids don’t.
“He knows the steps to flush his central line, he knows which clinics he likes and doesn’t like.
“This is all he’s ever really known.
“Childhood cancer is our lives now.
“We will forever be altered.”
Aiden is currently in remission, but his family have been told that he will more than likely relapse.
His family are determined to raise awareness for childhood cancer to improve treatment for their son and other children like him.
Ashley said: “We need better and more treatment options.
“Most of what we have is outdated and meant for adults. Research for childhood cancer is severely underfunded, and there are so many types.
“[But] the love and support people have shown us has been nothing short of incredible.
“Aiden has changed people’s lives and brought families closer.
“He’s making a difference.”.
Symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells
It progresses quickly and aggressively and requires immediate treatment.
According to the NHS around 790 people diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK.
Although it is rare, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common type of leukaemia that affects children.
Cancer Research UK said symptoms include:
feeling weak or tired
flu-like symptoms
a high temperature
picking up or not being able to shake off infections such as coughs and colds
bruising and bleeding easily
weight loss
swelling of your lymph nodes
pain in your bones or joints
breathlessness
feeling full in your tummy
looking pale or washed out
Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses so it doesn’t mean your little one has cancer if they have them.
Jam PressAiden’s parents said the family’s life has forever been altered buy their brush with cancer[/caption]