Family copes with Holly's illness
BRASSALL toddler Holly Muhling has always been a serious child, but mum Angela knew something was very wrong when Holly was not interested in celebrating her second birthday.
"We noticed Holly was always tired and was bruising easily, and thought it was an iron deficiency," Angela Deschamp said.
"We took her to the doctor and had blood tests done.
"She was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia four days after her birthday."
Ms Deschamp said the diagnosis shocked her. "The doctors had caught it in the early stages, so treatment will work," she said.
"Since then we've been going to the Royal Brisbane every week and giving her chemo at home."
"She's lost her long blonde curls because of the chemo, and she's always sleeping now."
Ms Muhling said she had become especially scared when Holly picked up an infection.
"Her immune system's so low she was in hospital for three weeks, and her father and I shared shifts looking over her."
Grandmother Narelle Muhling said the family had united to support Holly.
"It's not right for children to experience this," Ms Muhling said.
"It's been six years nearly to the day since my brother died from leukaemia and we'd been thinking about his loss."
"Then we heard about Holly and decided to do something."
The family will host a fundraising event from 9am today at the Peak Crossing pub and park.
There will be cricket, live country music from Neil Douglas and food and drink for sale.'
HOLLY'S JOURNEY
February 6: Second birthday.
February 10: Blood testing results in diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukaemia.
February - August/October: Intensive chemotherapy starts, including tablets, dosing at home and weekly hospital treatment.
Late 2012 - early 2015: Holly has monthly chemo.
