Boy's brave fight to beat cancer
SINCE August two-year-old Ben Jessen has had five lumbar-punctures, two bone marrow aspirations, and surgery to put a catheter portal in and take it out again.
Today he will endure his sixth lumbar puncture.
His mum, Renee, said the last few months had been difficult.
"It's hard watching your child go through what he is, to be hooked up to machines," she said.
Ben was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia less than two months ago.
Since his diagnosis, life has been a rollercoaster of hospitals, procedures and treatment plans for the Jessen family.
"It's a massive change going from living a normal everyday life to living in a hospital with daily blood tests, chemotherapy, hair loss, sickness and the rest," Renee said.
But last week finally brought a burst of relief, when Ben was declared in remission.
"It means they can't find anymore cancer cells," Renee said.
"But there is still a long journey ahead."
For the next four weeks, Ben will receive a lumbar puncture once a week and three rounds of chemo.
"The worst is over," Renee said.
"Well, we are hoping anyway."
Ben is still facing another three years of treatment but his mum said he was doing "really well".
"He is in good spirits, happy, always batting his eye-lids at the nurses," Renee said.
GET WELL BEN
Send in your well wishes and get well cards for little Ben to The Observer office and we will pass them onto him.
Mail your cards to 130 Auckland St Gladstone
