Five-year-old Jessica loves helping out in the kitchen and dreams of being a chef when she grows up - so there might even be a Michelin star in her future!
But since she was just two years old, instead of baking home-made treats, Jessica has been in the scary world of hospital wards and operating theatres.
Jessica’s dad Matthew first noticed a lump on his daughter’s back when he was getting her ready for her bath. In the weeks prior, she’d also had high temperatures and had fallen over a couple of times at daycare.
So mum Natalie said they wasted no time and booked Jessica in to see their GP.
“When the GP called and ordered an urgent MRI, I put two and two together and knew something was terribly wrong,” she recalls.
Tragically, Jessica was diagnosed with Paraspinal Neuroblastoma. The cancer had spread into her spine which explained the occasional falls.
While still grappling with the shock, the family were told Jessica needed to be transferred to the children’s hospital the very next day. Suddenly Jessica and her mum were in the unfamiliar world of hospital; hours away from the family’s home in regional NSW.
It would be close to nine months before they returned home. Natalie said it was an emotional whirlwind as Jessica faced rafts of further scary scans, biopsies and blood tests as doctors tried to determine the extent of their little girl’s cancer.
Jessica needed surgery to have a central line inserted to commence chemotherapy. She was initially scheduled for six rounds of chemo, however after four rounds, scans showed that the cancer had not shrunk and doctors needed to operate immediately.
Jessica underwent a harrowing eight-hour operation to remove the cancer, which required both abdominal and spinal surgery. She spent the next 10 days recovering on the ward, gradually regaining her strength until she was able to walk again.
During those long months, the family felt torn in two. Natalie essentially lived at the hospital with Jessica, while Matthew was at home with their son Mitchell trying to ‘maintain some sense of normality.’
Amid so much pain and sadness, Starlight helped create moments of happiness for the family.
“As soon as we saw the Starlight Express Room across from the Oncology ward, Jessica wanted to go in. It was a magical place where she could escape from everyday hospital life for hours at a time, play and make friends with other kids,” Natalie said.
Despite the pain and challenges of chemo and spinal surgery, Jessica hasn’t let it stop her doing all the things she loves.
“She’s a tough, active kid and prides herself on being the “best at the jungle gym!” Natalie jokes.
In the Starlight Express Room Jessica loved playing in the kitchen, dancing and competing in ‘pop-it’ races with the Captain Starlights as well as painting, drawing and craft activities.
Natalie said Starlight played an important role helping Jessica feel less alone in hospital.
“Having a place to be with other children her age in the Starlight Express Room made her feel less isolated. And when she was on the oncology ward, her face lit up as soon as the Captains arrived.”
Thankfully Jessica’s surgery was successful. She was able to go home for a couple of months to recover before facing further weeks of radiation treatment back in hospital.
She finally had her central line removed and best of all - rang the Celebration Bell at oncology.
Natalie said Jessica finished her final six month of oral treatment at home with her last day of treatment on her third birthday. She has slowly readjusted to family life and once her treatment was complete, was able to ease back into daycare and being with her friends again.
“Although memories are fading, the emotional journey has been rough for Jessica. Initially, she struggled to sleep in her own room and settling back into normal routines was difficult, but we’re lucky the worst part is over.”
Jessica still has regular three-monthly scans and blood tests to make sure there are no signs of the cancer returning, and so far, all her scans have been clear.
Her mum said every time they’re back in hospital, the first thing Jessica wants to do is go to the Starlight Express Room to see Captain Starlight and cook up a storm in the kitchen.
“Having fun and playing reduces kids’ stress and lifts their mood which helps families feel more positive seeing their children happy and playing. The Starlight Express Room also helps keep kids physically active which supports their overall health and recovery. Starlight helps kids replace the memories of their treatment and make new happy memories they’ll keep forever.”
