RUDDI’S RETREAT

My daughter Savannah is a happy, kind and bubbly seven-year-old. She is very sensitive, perceiving things most people her age wouldn’t even notice, and has an extremely compassionate side that people often comment on. I think this is because of all she has been through over the last five years, which has given her empathy towards others. 

Savannah’s health problems began in March 2016, when she was just two years old. She had always been well, but when we went to pick her up from nursery one Thursday, they said she seemed a bit off-colour. I thought she was coming down with a cold or chickenpox, so took her home to rest. 

Over the weekend, she still seemed quite lethargic and was off her food. On Sunday, we all went out for a meal and she fell asleep in the car. As I was lifting her out, her trouser leg rolled up and I froze in shock – she was covered in an angry, red rash. 

Thinking she had meningitis, we rushed to A&E. They did a blood test, which revealed her white blood cell count was off the scale, then transferred her to Leeds General Infirmary for more tests. Within 24 hours, the doctor sat us down and told us Savannah had leukaemia and would need her first dose of chemotherapy that same day. My husband, Andy, and I were completely floored. 

Over the next two and a half years, Savannah – who we later found out had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a cancer that affects white blood cells and progresses quickly – was given daily chemotherapy, so she was constantly hooked up to different devices. She also had 27 blood and platelet transfusions, lumbar punctures, and massive doses of steroids that bloated her up. She got a bad case of pneumonia which left scarring on her lungs, and developed hearing problems as well as a limp and turning-in of one of her feet. Perhaps worst of all, she didn’t understand what was happening to her or why everyone was hurting her, which was heartbreaking for us. 

Each appointment meant we had to travel back and forth between Leeds and Huddersfield, which takes about 45 minutes and the same for each time Savannah had a raised temperature. I had to go on sick leave to care for her. It was extremely difficult for my other children, Scarlett, Stanley and Sid, who were just five, four and one at the time. Our separation as a family had a big emotional impact on us all. 

During this time, Ruddi’s Retreat – whose fundraising events I had attended for years – got in touch to see if we would like to go on holiday to one of its caravans in Primrose Valley in North Yorkshire. It was nearly six months into Savannah’s treatment and we were so engrossed in just surviving every day that going on holiday would never have crossed our minds. However, we knew about the charity’s work helping families with sick children to manage a holiday, and we thought that if other families could do it, maybe we could too. We took up the offer, and were so glad we did. 

The sun shone the whole week, so we spent most of the time on the beach. We also went to the disco in the evenings, played crazy golf and walked along the beach to Filey for fish and chips. The caravan was fully equipped with games and DVDs to keep us entertained during times Savannah was unable to go out, so there was always plenty to do. For months, Savannah hadn’t been well enough to do anything, so to be able to spend time having fun as a family and reconnecting was fantastic. It helped us to realise we were a strong unit and together we could get through this, which helped to keep me going when times got tough. 

On 12 May 2018 – a week before her fifth birthday – Savannah finally finished her cancer treatment. Although we were told she would still need to attend regular hospital appointments to check for relapse, as well as to deal with the side effects of her treatment, it was wonderful to know the chemotherapy was finally over. 

Remembering the wonderful time we had had at Primrose Valley, I got in touch with Ruddi’s Retreat to see if it could squeeze us in at the last minute for Savannah’s birthday, which luckily it could. Savannah had spent her third birthday in hospital in isolation and we had had to cancel her fourth-birthday party because she was so unwell, so we thought it would be a lovely treat to get away and celebrate three birthdays in one. When I picked the children up that night and told them we were going back to Primrose Valley, their excitement was off the scale! 

This time around we could all relax more, as Savannah’s treatment had finished, and she was able to join her siblings in the swimming pool, run about and have fun just like any other child. We also told the compères during the evening entertainment that it was her birthday and they got her up on stage and made a big fuss of her – not only for her birthday but for finishing her treatment. It was the perfect way to celebrate those two awful years being over. 

When you’re caring for a sick child and trying to survive on a reduced income, planning a family holiday is just not on your list of priorities, but the holidays Ruddi’s Retreat offer families like ours really make such a difference. Those tiny glimmers of happiness among the dark days help so much. It gives you that chance to get away from it all, breathe and reconnect with your family, which is invaluable. 

Total raised: £4,768 

The money raised in The Candis Big Give will be used to provide children living with cancer or other life-limiting illnesses and their families with a respite break at one of its four accessible and fully kitted-out caravans at Primrose Valley in Filey, North Yorkshire. 

Visit ruddisretreat.org to find out more