AUSTIN Roper is just two years old and already facing the toughest battle of his life after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
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The Port Macquarie boy and his parents, Alana and Nathan, are in Newcastle living at the Ronald McDonald House while Austin receives treatment.
He was diagnosed on April 24, 2017, and in the blink of an eye their world was turned upside down.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride. Your child gets diagnosed and that afternoon he’s having an operation,” Alana said.
“It happens so quickly. His little body is recovering from surgery and then that afternoon he has to have chemo.
“Good news can quickly be followed by bad news. Up and down and around and around is the only way to describe it.”
Due to steroid treatment Austin has gained 3.3 kilograms in a matter of weeks. He has been slow to respond to treatment but he has responded.
Although the chemotherapy is tough, what is tougher is the mental impact it is having on Austin.
“It has been very hard for him to understand. He doesn’t understand why everyone is coming at him with syringes and medication,” she said.
“In the beginning he was having medication three times a day, so it is very hard for him. He’s okay, and the staff are absolutely amazing.
“In the beginning it was so hard for me. I didn’t want to listen. But it got to a point where we let them help us, and we realised it had to be done. They know more about what they’re talking about than we do, and they are incredible.
“You build relationships with the nurses and the doctors, and a lot of them are parents so they understand.”
Ignorant of the disease by her own admission, Alana and her husband are now as optimistic as they can be.
“At the beginning it is unbearable. I thought kids with leukaemia die. I didn’t realise that they can come out the other end and lead a normal life,” she said.
“We are positive with how he has responded. The staff are very upfront. They don’t sugar coat anything.
“It’s a long road ahead. There will be lots of ups and downs (but) we take it hour by hour.”
Mum and dad are holding it together with the help of their friends and the Port Macquarie community.
Bec Howard heard of the family’s struggles, and as a local business owner she has organised a fundraiser at her café on Town Beach. It will be on Sunday May 28 at Breakwall HQ from 10am to 12pm.
“The original plan was to donate $1 from every coffee for the morning of the fundraiser but due to the kindness of my amazing suppliers we can now increase our donation to $2,” Mrs Howard said.
Donation boxes are available at Breakwall HQ, Aqua Vitae Day Spa and Blue Illusion.
If you are unable to make the event, direct deposits into a St George Bank can be made for the family.
To donate, make payment to: St George Bank R. Howard BSB: 112 879 ACC: 4702 544 51.
All money along with statements from open to close of account will be given to the family, so you have the option of putting your name as a reference or being anonymous.
“It is amazing. People have gone out of their way to help us. The kindhearted way that people want to help, it is incredible,” Alana said.
“Just knowing there are so many people behind us really helps us get through. We are so blessed.”