15 March 2024 , 16:09
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The parents of a two-year-old baby girl have said they are “walking through nothing short of hell,” after they were told of their child’s cancer diagnosis.
In February two-year-old, Isla Joy Gray, was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Speaking out, the family have said that Isla Joy has gone through “countless” tests including chemotherapy, bone marrow harvests and blood transfusions.
Her parents Abbie Lewis and Jordan Gray described their baby girl as the "strongest two-year-old to walk this earth." After weeks of being unwell, doctors diagnosed Isla Joy with a viral infection - but on February 4 mom Abbie became increasingly concerned about a rash on the tot's legs which spread up her back.
After spending six hours at A&E at Glasgow's Children's Hospital , Isla was diagnosed with Leukaemia. As Isla Joy goes through treatment the family are doing their best to raise awareness. The blood cancer, affects around 440 children in the UK each year. Abbie's mum Bobbie, 47 and her aunt Justine, 33, have set up a fundraising page in a bid to take some pressure off of the young family during tough times, as well as donating a portion of funds to the children's cancer ward.
Parents Abbie Lewis and Jordan Gray described their baby girl as the 'strongest two-year-old to walk this earth' (Abbie Lewis)Speaking to Glasgow Live, Bobbie and Justine said: "Isla Joy was taken into hospital on the Sunday, February 4 and diagnosed six hours later at 3.45am on the Monday morning. On Wednesday she started her first round of chemo, they have been extremely proactive...we can't fault them. She has now had her 6th bone marrow and lumbar puncture - she undergoes five hours of intense chemotherapy at the hospital two times a week, as well as receiving other countless amounts of treatment and medication."
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Isla was discharged on March 8 after weeks in hospital but will return to the Schiehallion ward at Glasgow's Children's Hospital as an outpatient. The family's lives have been turned upside down with their day to day life now consisting of appointments, medication and treatment, with mum Abbie dealing with her oral medication at home.
Dad Jordan, 23, is self-employed and unable to take time off and this is why the family is raising funds so they can "be a family again with less pressure". Bobbie and Justine described their Isla Joy as the "sassiest little girl" with an "incredible spirit", they added: "She is the most beautiful wee girl with such a fantastic spirit. The family are encouraged that as Isla is young she won’t remember her diagnoses. They said she hadn’t "moaned once and is just fantastic," whilst also labelling her a "superhero."
Mum Abbie shared Isla's courageous story to the GoFundMe page which reads: "Here is Isla Joys story so far... 5th of February 2024, we had been given a diagnosis no parent should ever have to receive, our darling Isla Joy was diagnosed with cancer. Our world has shattered into an uncountable amount of pieces and we are walking through nothing short of Hell.
Isla Joy was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on February 5 (Abbie Lewis)"The anger and pain is absolutely unimaginable being helpless and at the mercy of strangers, trusting they will make our baby better. After 5 weeks in hospital, our baby has endured, 3 bone marrow harvests, 3 lumber punctures, 5 blood transfusions, 6 Platelet transfusions, 14 lots of chemotherapy and countless mls of liquid medications.
"Watching our wild child laying in a strange bed in agony, and having the most horrific things done. And there is not one answer as to why or how? But my Isla you are the strongest 2-year-old that has walk this earth and I have never been prouder in my life for you to call out mum and it’s me being lucky enough to answer.
"Isla you are the most amazing girl, you are just the most amazing human on this planet, you have made me stand so much taller and you are forever my purpose while there is air in my lungs. You will come out of this charging like a f***ing bull, we have a long 2 years ahead of us but you will show this cancer who is boss. With an army standing right behind you."
The family are holding a family day fundraiser on March 31 as well as an over 18s event on April 5. In their fight to raise awareness for the cruel disease they will also gather funds for the young family and the children's cancer ward at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Gran Bobbie and Aunt Justine had a few words of support for parents who are facing similar struggles. They encouraged parents to "listen to their children" and "push for answers" from their GP - "pay attention to your child, if you think something isn't right then stand your ground - you are their voice".
Symptoms of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia include:
Pale skin
Feeling tired and breathless
Having repeated infections over a short space of time
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Unusual and frequent bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nose bleeds
High temperature (fever) of 38C or above
Night sweats
Bone and joint pain
Easily bruised skin
Swollen lymph nodes (glands)
Abdominal pain – caused by a swollen liver or spleen
Unexplained weight loss
A purple skin rash (purpura)
To donate to the fundraiser please click .