“Imagine being told your child was going to pass away if the transplant wasn’t successful — and then being told that you’re the donor.”
This was the reality for 38-year-old Prue Meier from Townsville, QLD. In December 2018, her son Chase was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer.
“When someone close to you gets diagnosed, everything comes to a standstill. Yet the world keeps turning around you,” Prue recalls.
“The first signs of illness were fevers and night sweats. These started on a Monday, and they were a high 39+ for the days that followed. By Sunday afternoon the fevers were 40+ and Panadol/Nurofen were no longer working. I decided enough was enough.”
“We headed to the hospital for some test results, hoping to be back by dinner time that night. Little did I know we wouldn’t return home for over six months.”
“In the ED, I was on high alert. While the phone calls the doctor was making were hard to hear, the computer within my line of sight was easy to read. ONCOLOGY. That was when I knew without a doubt our son had cancer. And so began our journey.”
Being based in Townsville, Chase and his family faced a 1,300 km journey to Brisbane to receive life-saving treatment.
Only 28% of Australians live in regional and remote areas, but they make up 41% of all blood cancer patients like Chase.
Limited access to healthcare professionals and services force blood cancer patients from regional Australia to travel long distances for treatment and care. People living in regional areas are 17 times more likely to report geographical and financial barriers to care than people living in metropolitan areas.
When word spread about Chase’s situation, the Leukaemia Foundation were able to step in and provide accommodation to the family in Brisbane.
“The housing provided by the Leukaemia Foundation while we were regularly commuting to the hospital was an absolute blessing, and we had a little community there,” Prue says.
“For us, the Leukaemia Foundation supported the family. Providing a place to call home while we were in Brisbane and checking in on mum and dad during the journey to make sure we were coping and helping us along the way.”
After numerous rounds of intense chemotherapy, Prue was then told that Chase required a stem cell transplant – and the search immediately began for a donor.
“They had said that the likelihood of a parent being a match was very small. But then [the doctor] came in one day and she was really excited. And she said, ‘we got a match’. It’s you.’ And I said, ‘excuse me, what?’.”
With blood cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst children, Chase’s situation is far too common.
But then, at such a special and exciting moment, Prue came to a crushing realisation. If the transplant was a success, she would literally save her son’s life. But what she realised is that if it wasn’t, she’d feel responsible.
“Imagine being told your child was going to pass away within two years if a transplant wasn’t successful — and then being told that you’re the donor. If I didn’t do it, he would die. And if I did do it, and it failed, he’d die.”
I had to reconcile in my head, I could save his life, but if the transplant didn’t work, it would be my cells that killed him.”
“I’m still not sure I have processed those alternatives. At the time, I just focused on the process and trusted the science.”
All Prue could do was donate her stem cells, trust the medical process and professionals involved in the transplant, and hope for the best. And that’s what she did.
Much to the relief and excitement of Prue and the family, Chase’s stem cell transplant was a success. And in March 2022, Chase experienced that special moment of ringing the bell at the hospital, signalling the end of his treatment – and the start of an exciting new chapter for the family.
Chase ringing in an exciting new chapter for him and his family at the Queensland Children’s Hospital
Nearly 3 years after entering remission, Chase is now just like any other normal kid. Just with, as his mother describes, ‘a colourful backstory’.
“Chase is now in grade five and excited to almost be a ‘senior’ at school. He is an active young boy who loves all things soccer and computer games.”
He and his family continue to reside in regional Queensland and live a normal life while continuing to monitor his progress and condition.
When looking back to the beginning of their journey, Prue remembers the peace and community they found while living at the Leukaemia Foundation Village and is grateful for the support they still receive today.