The International Child Cancer Day is on 15 February. The path of diagnosis to healing the disease is a real test for the families involved. The Styrian Children’s Cancer Aid offers support. The mother of the three -year -old Lio reports.
“It was hell,” says Tanja Fink, mother of Little Lio. By this she means the beginning of 2024. In February, after weeks of uncertainty, the family finally got the diagnosis in the LKH Graz: Lio has leukemia. A fate that the boy shares with many others: about 300 children and young people in Austria develop cancer every year.
With leukemia, however, Lio pulled the “best lot” of the cancer: “One of the doctors told me that you would choose leukemia, you should choose a cancer for your child,” the mother recalls. The reason for this is the chance of healing. Because leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children, research has been concentrating in this area for decades. Almost 100 percent of the cases can already be cured today.
In the beginning, however, the affected gave the prediction little, because the diagnosis is devastating and the despair is great. “It felt like I was pulling the ground under my feet,” says Fink. After the diagnosis, a long way starts for the family: therapy takes two years. Child and mother spend a lot of time on the LKH Graz Children’s Cancer Station. “This is the best station. Doctors, nursing staff and the parents of the other children became like a family for me during this time. Everyone is there for the other.”
The mother was able to get a deep breath for the first time a day before her birthday: “On September 9, 2024, Lio was allowed to call the bell. That was the best birthday present for me.
Support at all levels
At this point the styrician children of the cancer for children and Doris Prasch come into play. It is the mobile pediatric nurse of the organization and accompanying affected families again normal. Prasch comes home with the children and takes on the necessary blood and exams, so that they don’t have to go to the hospital every week. “Of course this lighting is for children and families,” says Prasch. However, the feel -good factor of these home visits is much more important: “I am not the one who can tell the children that they have to stay in the hospital again. They are not afraid of me. “
Prasch is also an anchor for Lio and his family: “Doris is a heart character, it is already part of,” says Fink. The mobile child nurse not only makes the necessary investigations easier, it also becomes an important confidant for parents, children and brothers and sisters. “If I’m not sure, I can call or write Doris. She is always there, “says the mother.
Nowadays the almost four -year -old -thit is fine. The treatment of his illness has so far been without major side effects: “The doctors say he is a flagship cancer patient,” said Fink. Lio has to use medication every day for about a year and he is regularly visited by Doris Prasch. But slowly in the daily life of the family returns to normality. “I have a small hero at home,” the mother says proudly.
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.
