Mum says 'falling out of chair saved my daughter's life' as it led to shock diagnosis
A mum has shared a harrowing story of how her three year old daughter's fall from a chair led to a life-saving cancer diagnosis.
Katelynn Squires, 29, noticed her daughter Paislee exhibiting worrying signs such as unusual bruising, fevers, and pale skin in June 2022. Despite initial reassurances from doctors who claimed the symptoms were 'normal for toddlers', it was only after Paislee fell from her chair, causing immediate severe bruising, that medical professionals took notice.
The child 'instantly turned black and purple,' and subsequent hospital tests revealed she had B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and serious form of blood and bone marrow cancer.
Speaking to What's The Jam, Katelynn, from Florida, USA, recalled the ordeal: "That day still haunts me. I took her to the doctor and they said it was normal. I had a gut instinct that something was wrong.
"She ended up falling off her little toddler chair about a month later and instantly bruised and swelled up, turning black and purple on July 17," reports the Mirror.
"I called the on-call paediatrician and explained her symptoms, and they advised us to take her to our local children's hospital. A few tests and an hour later me and my husband Zackary were told the worst news possible. It was the biggest scare of our lives.
"Paislee was completely limp and lifeless. The infection ran from her bone marrow site to her port. Soon, her organs were failing."
Throughout the treatment period, which saw Paislee undergo multiple surgeries, Katelynn says the hospital became like 'home' to the family.
Paislee embarked on a treatment known as Blinatumomab, an immunotherapy drug. She underwent two rounds of this treatment, which involved 24 hours a day for a straight month, before undergoing plastic surgery to cover her wounds.
The procedure was successful and the courageous toddler has now finally healed, but she is currently undergoing daily chemotherapy and steroids as she continues her battle against cancer.
Katelynn said: "Paislee is doing phenomenally. It's not easy, but she is determined to win. We are so proud of her resilience and strength during treatment.
"I feel a lot of anxiety still. No parent ever wants to hear or even think about cancer, but here we are living that nightmare".
Katelynn uses Instagram to share Paislee's journey, aiming to raise awareness for childhood cancer and highlight the warning signs.