When hospital staff told Shepparton’s Breeanna Poar to call her partner to be with her she knew it was going to be bad news.
Ms Poar’s only child, Alexander, who is almost two, had been struggling with nose bleeds and seemingly never-ending viral infections picked up at daycare.
In late February, when it took Ms Poar 15 minutes to wake up Alex from a five-hour sleep for a telehealth appointment they were sent to Goulburn Valley Health’s emergency department.
Twelve hours later blood results came back and Alex was diagnosed with pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
"I just went into complete shock,“ Ms Poar said.
The young family, including Ms Poar’s partner Kyle Limes was referred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne that afternoon for Alex’s first dose of chemotherapy.
During the next 12 days some days were good, some were bad, as Alex had countless blood tests and doses of steroids three times a day.
“It’s very full-on for him because he doesn’t understand what’s going on,” Ms Poar said.
“He hates nurses and doctors – I think that’s because he’s had so many PCR (COVID-19) tests, so anyone in a mask and a gown he hates.
“We get near the hospital and he says no and covers his nose.”
However, the good news was the largely positive outlook for Alex, with a high cure rate for his diagnosis.
“It was an hour conversation and they said if you take anything from this, know that it’s curable,” Ms Poar said.
Melbourne is home for Ms Poar and Alex for four to six months and, with Ms Poar having to leave her job in Shepparton, they are relying on Mr Limes to support them.
“The main thing is the accommodation in Melbourne and we’re also paying rent on our house in Shepparton,” she said.
“The chemotherapy is free but all the medication we need to pay for.”
To help support Ms Poar and Mr Limes through the next few months, Ms Poar’s mum Janelle Poar has signed up for the World’s Greatest Shave and started a GoFundMe page.
Ms Poar appealed for people to donate blood, including plasma, which has been vital for Alex since being hospitalised; going through five or six bags in about two weeks.
To donate to the GoFundMe page, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-alexander-with-his-leukemia-journey
To donate blood, visit www.lifeblood.com.au