She has lost her hair, but not her zest for life. Four-year-old Melina from the Grieskirchen district was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite painful treatments, the little patient has not lost her cheerfulness and is bravely fighting her life-threatening illness.
Melina from the Grieskirchen district was always a cheerful, lively and healthy girl. But in early June, mom Daniela noticed that the four-year-old had a swollen eyelid. “It looked like they had stabbed Gelsen,” says the 33-year-old, who was not worried for the time being.
But after a week the swelling was still there. “By now she had become hard. We suspected it could be a stye, I read on the internet that it can go away again,” said the mother.
When Melina’s eyelid continued to swell in the following days, Daniela took her daughter to the doctor, who referred her to an ophthalmologist. The four-year-old was given an anti-inflammatory ointment, but that did not bring relief. At the Wels-Grieskirchen Clinic, her eyelid was examined in detail using ultrasound. “We had to stay there as a hospital stay because they also wanted to check Melina’s blood,” Daniela explains.
Terrible news
The lab results were a shock. “It was said that the values were wrong. Then the diagnosis was made: leukemia.” Mother and daughter were transferred to the oncology department of the Kepler University Hospital in Linz.
The treating doctors told Daniela that Melina would have to stay there for 33 days. “We couldn’t understand it at first, our daughter was always sporty, did gymnastics and ate healthy. It took me two weeks to really realize what that meant,” says Daniela. Melina also didn’t want to know anything about illness. “Mom, I don’t have cancer, I’m healthy,” the girl protested.
Clumps of hair fell out
During chemotherapy, the little patient lost her long, blonde hair. “She lost them in bunches and she also got an infection,” says her mother.
The hospital stay for mother and daughter was extended by another week. Melina has now learned to accept her illness: “Blood cancer is now part of her life – and she is happy again.”
The four-year-old has a so-called ‘courage pearl necklace’, which is unfortunately getting longer. There is a pearl for every chemo, blood transfusion or other treatment. Five intensive therapy blocks must be completed. The girl currently has to go to the hospital once a week for 24-hour chemotherapy including a lumbar puncture (spinal cord).
No more cuddling with pets
When she leaves the hospital, she is so weak that she cannot walk on her own. Everything at home must be kept sterile and the drinking water must be filtered. Melina is not allowed to pet her beloved rabbits and cats or meet her friends. Her wish: She would like to travel to the sea one day.
Dad Robert (41) works in shifts. He takes care of the household at home, but also supports his wife and daughter as best he can. Mother Daniela is now mother, educator and best friend all in one for Melina. Due to the cancer diagnosis, she is currently unable to work as a kindergarten teacher, which also brings financial concerns for the family: “The risk of bacteria would be too great.”
The parents are convinced that their Melina will get better again.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
