Resilient, energised and excited for life

TANYA Butterworth’s youngest child Mackenzie is an energetic four-year-old who loves playing at the park, jumping in muddy puddles, going to the carnival, and watching fireworks.

But her little life hasn’t always been so joyful, as she was diagnosed with blood cancer one month after her second birthday in 2019.

“She had been really sick with viruses and a fever, a double ear infection, and had bruises on her legs,” Ms Butterworth said.

“I thought she was just your average day-care child that always gets sick… but after some blood tests, we found out she had leukaemia, was anaemic and we had to go to the Royal Children’s Hospital the next day.”

Mackenzie was in the RCH for eight months receiving “intense” treatment including blood and platelet transfusions and chemotherapy in that time.

She couldn’t see many of her family members and friends throughout the pandemic, but got to come home to Ballarat, and stay home in May, 2020.

Until December last year, Mackenzie was going down to Melbourne for monthly chemotherapy, and was taking chemo tablets daily.

But throughout, Ms Butterworth said her family unit, which includes Mackenzie’s three siblings, had lots of support and care from the community around them. The Hospital, and a particular organisation, were “beyond amazing.”

“We had a social worker through the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity and would have been lost without her. She organised accommodation, funding for food vouchers and bills

“Mackenzie had a lot of play therapy which My Room funded, and that was really, really helpful as a distraction from treatments and dressing changes,” she said.

“Some organisations’ funding support is a set amount, but My Room is based on your circumstances. Living far away from the hospital, having that social worker to organise everything and to talk to when things were overwhelming was very helpful.”

Now in kinder, Mackenzie’s immunity has improved, she’s energised, approaching her fifth birthday in July, and excited to head to school net year where she will get to play with her older sister every day.

The only worry she has at the moment is making sure the Easter Bunny finds her when she’s on a camping trip in the upcoming school holidays.

“Now that she’s well, we’re so relieved,” Ms Butterworth said. “It feels like life is finally getting back to normal after her diagnosis.

“We’re no longer stressed about her being around anyone that sick, because her system can cope, and I’m able to get back to work.”

But there are two things in particular Ms Butterworth hopes parents, carers and the broader community can take away from their story.

“Trust your instincts, and you need to accept help when it’s offered,” she said.