Matthew makes strides in cancer battle
ONE-YEAR-OLD LEARNING TO WALK AFTER GRUELLING TREATMENT
A BRAVE toddler who had to learn to sit up again after undergoing gruelling cancer treatment is now practising his first steps in a garden made just for him.
Matthew Jackson had just started nursery when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged 10 months.
The youngster was extremely poorly, and was immediately admitted to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Matthew, who is now one, had a Hickman line fitted and was given almost a dozen lumbar punctures, 10 blood transfusions, two platelet transfusions, three ultrasounds and four x-rays as well a countless antibiotics and other medication.
The treatment was aggressive, and it took its toll on Matthew’s little body.
His mum Sarah Dunne said: “When he first went into hospital after he had the chemotherapy drug vincristine he couldn’t sit up – I had to teach him to sit up again and bear his own weight. He went from being 10-months-old and doing what 10-month-olds do right back to not even a six-month-old in terms of what he could do. It was heartbreaking and I wondered what was going to happen to him.”
After six months in hospital, Matthew, from Royton, Oldham, finally finished his intense treatment in September.
But it’s not the end for him, and the tot is now on ‘ maintenance treatment’ – which involves daily and weekly chemotherapy drugs and periodic lumbar punctures for spinal chemotherapy – which he will have until he is three.
Sarah explained that Matthew also developed paralysis of his vocal cords as a result of the treatment.
He had only just started talking at the time, and his family are hoping his speech will return soon.
Despite everything however, Matthew is now home and is now learning to walk in a brand new garden created especially for him by family, neighbours and the Royton community when he was in hospital.
Sarah added: “While in hospital, my sister had an idea to change the garden to make it suitable and safe.
“She reached out to the local community for help and together they demolished the conservatory, removed the block paving, replaced the fencing, laid AstroTurf, laid paving, bought garden furniture including a swing.
“Noel Mahon, the MD of PJR Windows, was an inspiration with his drive to create the garden. It’s perfect for Matthew and he is now having fun taking his first steps.”
Matthew has now received a Star Award from Cancer Research UK Kids, in partnership with TK Maxx, after being nominated by Sarah for his bravery and determination during his gruelling treatment.
The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards are open to all under-18s who currently have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.
To nominate a child for an award, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens