GIRL ALL SMILES AFTER ORDEAL
TONI Bloxsom’s life was turned upside down when she was given the news her daughter Lexie had acute myeloid leukaemia.
When Lexie was diagnosed her white blood cell count was 723, more than 65 times higher than a normal count.
Lexie spent two years fighting the disease attacking her little body, undergoing 11 different types of chemotherapy in Brisbane and Townsville.
The Mt Louisa mum said it was touch and go after Lexie was diagnosed with a fungal infection during her treatment.
“Every organ was failing – her brain, eyes, kidneys, liver, spleen and heart – and the doctors told me I should call (husband) Geoff and get him down to Brisbane,” she said. “We had doubts she would get through it.”
Lexie was placed in an induced coma for 10 days to allow her body to fight the disease.
The Ryan Catholic College student completed her cancer treatment on March 20 this year and is now a happy and healthy Grade 2 schoolgirl. Lexie said she loved being back with her family.
“(I missed) being with my dad and brothers and I can go for swims at home and I can sleep in my own room,” she said.
It has only been in the past 11 months that Lexie has been able to walk again, having been confined to a wheelchair for six months after she was released from hospital.
Ms Bloxsom said because Lexie was unable to get out of a hospital bed for 93 days, the muscles in her legs had “wasted away” and the chemo had damaged her nerves.
The good news is Lexie is on the road to recovery, growing 10cm in the past year after chemo stunted her growth for 18 months.