Boy facing another ‘brutal’ battle
Lucas McLean was first diagnosed with cancer as a 2-year-old, now his cancer has returned with a vengeance. As Rachael Comer reports, the news is devastating for his family.
Lucas McLean has kept a jar of more than 1000 beads he collected for each traumatic or courageous step he took in his battle against leukaemia.
Now, two years after finishing treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, he has started collecting the beads again after the brave 7-year-old was told he had relapsed and was given a 20% chance of survival.
Despite the odds, Lucas and his family are determined to beat cancer again – his mother Melanie Richards said the 20% chance gives them hope.
Lucas was first diagnosed with cancer, as a 2-year-old, on March 15, 2017, and underwent 31⁄2-years of chemotherapy treatment, and was two years post-treatment when it was discovered his cancer had returned ‘‘with a vengeance’’, Richards said.
‘‘We knew something was very wrong after he began vomiting, became weak and lethargic, was going deaf and developed headaches,’’ she said.
‘‘He had random bleeding noses and bleeding gums in the days leading up to his relapse.’’
He then developed a rash, later confirmed as haemorrhaging under the skin, she said.
‘‘At first there was concern that Lucas had bacterial meningitis, but after learning of his history with leukaemia and bloods confirming blast cells were present in his blood, we were told the devastating news that after finishing treatment two years ago, Lucas has relapsed – the cancer had come back with a vengeance.’’
That news was difficult to hear, Richards said.
‘‘We felt absolutely devastated to hear that after two years of ‘normal life’ the cancer had returned more vicious than before.
‘‘The feelings of utter helplessness and grief returned, and Sean and I were overcome with emotion for a time.
‘‘We cried and held our precious wee boy because this time around, he knows what is happening. He knows the cancer is back, and he was so upset.’’
Lucas had a chest X-ray and then he, and his mother, were flown to Christchurch Hospital’s Child Haematology and Oncology Centre where they remain.
He began chemotherapy treatment on July 26, and has had numerous blood transfusions, two lumbar punctures, a Hickman line inserted in his chest to take blood and give him intravenous fluids, medicines and chemotherapy.
‘‘He’s also had a nasal gastric tube inserted as he has again lost his appetite.’’
Richards said while the news had been ‘‘equally as devastating’’ as the first time around, the family felt more prepared this time around.
‘‘As a family we are strong, as we have been through this journey before.’’
With Lucas needing to be in hospital for a while, his big sister Ruby, 13, is staying in Timaru while Richards, in her second year of a hairdressing apprenticeship, has postponed work for several months.
Her husband, a Fonterra engineer, also has time off work to be in Christchurch.
For now, Lucas is receiving intense chemotherapy to try to get him into remission, but this would be difficult, she said.
‘‘As he has relapsed (the second time battling leukaemia) the chance of getting him into remission are a lot less this time around.’’
If Lucas is able to get into remission within a month he will be transferred to Auckland’s Starship Hospital, she said.
There he will undergo radiation and a stem-cell transplant which ‘‘means they will be looking for a suitable donor’’.
The Auckland stay would be three to four months.
Richards said she would stay with Lucas throughout his battle, while Sean would stay with them for the first few weeks and then return to work, flying back from Timaru weekly.
‘‘Ruby will also travel up regularly to visit her adoring little brother while also balancing how much of his treatment she’s exposed too.
‘‘The unfortunate side effects of cancer treatment are brutal, and Ruby knows this all too well. So keeping our precious girl shielded from a lot of this, is high on our priority list.
‘‘Ruby is very fortunate to have the amazing support of her dad and step-mum, her younger sister and wider family unit, so we are incredibly blessed to have them onboard for Ruby.’’
Richards said both children were ‘‘traumatised’’ by the reality of cancer and what treatment entailed, but ‘‘are incredibly courageous, very resilient and have a real fighting spirit’’.
The family has felt the support of South Canterbury while they are in Christchurch, she said.
‘‘Oh my goodness the support, love and kindness people have shown has absolutely blown us away.
‘‘We’re so grateful, thank you.’’
A Givealittle page has also been set up for the family to help cover the ongoing costs of travel, food and accommodation.
So far the page has raised $7213.
Richards said the family asked people to keep Lucas in their thoughts and prayers.
‘‘Lift him up and send every positive thought out there to get him well again and keep his fighting spirit.’’
She also asked people to think of Lucas, and others who have fought cancer, on Daffodil Day on August 26.
‘‘Wear that daffodil and if you’re able, donate to the Cancer Society or the Child Cancer Foundation.
‘‘Here in New Zealand, one in four families are given the news that their child has cancer,’’ Richards said.
‘‘We never thought it would be our son.’’