AT JUST five-and-a-half months old, Brydee Whiteman was diagnosed with Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia.
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In May 2016, Brydee had a bone-marrow transplant followed by six months of chemotherapy to treat her diagnosis.
Now aged three, Bridie is in remission and has no leukaemia cells in her body.
Brydee’s mother Skye Whiteman said the family will celebrate the good news this weekend.
“They don’t declare you cured until five years after the (treatment) but with Brydee’s type of leukaemia, it is rare for it to return after two years. So this is a huge milestone,” Skye said.
“She is just taking the world in her stride. Brydee is very boisterous and with what she's been through, cooped up at home or in hospital, she had taken on everything and just enjoys every moment.”
After the support the Whiteman family had from the Royal Children’s Hospital, Skye is encouraging people to give generously to the Good Friday Appeal.
“Just give generously. You don’t think it can happen to you then one day it does, so it is nice to give back,” she said.
“The programs they have and the whole system is fantastic for parents.
“It was hard being away (from my oldest child) for weeks at a time but the Royal Children’s has got a great support network.
“The doctors were always willing chat and sort of dumb down the treatments so an average person can understand.”
Skye will be rattling tins in Bendigo tomorrow to raising money for the Good Friday Appeal.
“I feel like I owe so much, so I get in and help as much as possible,” she said.
“Last year I helped sell posters at the AFL grand final to raise money for the Royal Children’s.”
Skye also encouraged parents to follow their instincts if they believed their child was sick.
“Brydee had a swollen belly, kept getting thrush and had a horrible cough and croup,” she said.
“I went by mothers instinct, and found her spleen and liver were enlarged. Bendigo Base originally said she had a leukaemia and transported Brydee to the Royal Children’s that night.
“So if you think something is wrong get another opinion. Parents always know because they spend the most time with their child.”