Caroline enters new stage in battle

Caroline Quirey, who has aplastic anaemia,  a rare condition caused by  bone marrow failure, says...
Caroline Quirey, who has aplastic anaemia, a rare condition caused by bone marrow failure, says she feels energised after getting regular blood and platelet transfusions. Photos: Christine O'Connor.
Caroline Quirey looks like a normal 11-year-old but behind her smile the East Taieri School pupil is fighting a rare bone marrow disorder.

Since being diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in June, Caroline has undergone weekly platelet transfusions and fortnightly blood transfusions to replenish her small body with the blood cells the disorder is depriving her of.

Yesterday  Caroline  travelled to Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland  to prepare for a stem-cell transplant, which her mother hopes will allow her to return to school and the netball court.

The stems cells transplanted into Caroline’s bone marrow will come from an anonymous overseas donor.

Caroline’s mother, Lydia Quirey, said the donor would play a crucial role in saving her daughter’s life.

"It’s extraordinary; she wouldn’t be here without it."

Since the diagnosis, Mrs Quirey’s daughter had been robbed of the ability to do things she loved, including dancing, physical education and swimming, because of a risk of bleeding or infection.

Caroline Quirey, who has aplastic anaemia,  a rare condition caused by  bone marrow failure, says...

It was "bittersweet" to have found a stem-cell match on the international bone marrow registry, she said.

"We had mixed feelings.

"We were quite excited because there was a positive chance of curing her, but we were also apprehensive because we know about the process."

Before receiving the transplant, Caroline will have her immune system destroyed by chemotherapy to give her body a better chance of accepting the foreign cells.

There was also a chance the  cells would attack Caroline’s own body cells, a complication known as  graft-versus-host.

Mrs Quirey would take six months’ unpaid leave from her job as a nurse to support Caroline  during her  treatment and Caroline’s father and older sister would visit the pair as often as they could, she said.

Caroline’s battle with the disorder was "incredibly hard" for the family, but they were overwhelmed by an outpouring of support, Mrs Quirey said.

"There are so many families and children that go through things like this; you just don’t expect it to happen to you."

A establishment of a Givealittle page  by East Taieri School principal Jennifer Horgan to support the family was particularly overwhelming, she said.

Mrs Quirey acknowledged the "wonderful" support from Dunedin City Baptist Church and her workplace.

"These are things I never would have expected or asked for.

"You feel a bit undeserving."

Mrs Horgan said many of the school’s 300 pupils and friends of Caroline’s family, including in Australia, had made donations.

"They are a wonderful family and Caroline is such a popular student."

About $7700 had been donated so far, she said.

Caroline was "really happy" her school was supporting her.

She hoped to be back to school in time for her year 6 camp in November.

"I think it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said.

To donate to the Givealittle page, visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/helpcaroline

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement