'Lucy's fighting back' - Michael Laws

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Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 24 February 2008

"It may not be a miracle yet but it's certainly headed in that direction." That's the word today from Wanganui mayor, broadcaster and Sunday Star-Times columnist Michael Laws after specialists radically revised the odds of survival for his three-year-old daughter, Lucy.

Lucy is fighting a rare combination of illnesses leukemia, pneumonia and a fungal infection on her lungs and doctors said 10 days ago they thought she would die. But Laws said that on Friday, the two specialists responsible for Lucy's care Mark Winstanley and Ruellyn Cockcroft said that tests had shown the toddler's outlook was improving.

Said Laws: "To quote Mark Winstanley: `We have results that we did not expect to see' and `the fungus is not behaving as it is meant to be'."

He said the aspergillus fungus did not appear as invasive or immediately fatal as it had looked a week ago. "The difference between last Wednesday's CT scan and this week's is dramatic," Laws said. "It appears to be in retreat and the great fear that it would honeycomb and permanently damage the lungs and create abcesses is retreating with it. She is not out of danger, but she is out of immediate danger. This is fantastic news."

The pneumonia, while still there, looked less harsh than last week and blood tests for the leukaemia suggested Lucy was heading towards remission. "All this means that our initial prognosis has been radically revised. Her odds of survival have gone from 10-20% to 50%-plus. In addition, she looks well and the steroids have ensured she eats well. We are not out of the woods and she is still fighting two life-threatening diseases but ... the odds are now Lucy's and not some statistical freak. Although, we ask ourselves, is Lucy already a statistical freak? Has she already evaded chance and an immediate fate? I think so. And given all the above, who is to say that both Starship's specialists and the power of prayer is not working? "Certainly, not me."

Odds improve for brave little Lucy

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5:00AM Sunday February 24, 2008

By Michelle Coursey

This picture of Lucy Laws eating spaghetti at Starship was posted on www.mayormichael.co.nz

Wanganui mayor Michael Laws says his dangerously ill daughter's chances of survival are improving but she's not safe yet.

Laws and his partner Leo Brookhammer have been keeping a bedside vigil for almost two weeks while 3-year-old Lucy fights leukaemia, a fungal disease and pneumonia. Yesterday he told the Herald on Sunday she was "not out of the woods".

But on Friday, he announced through his website that a CT scan, lumbar puncture, and bone marrow biopsy had raised Lucy's chances of survival "from 10-20 per cent to 50 per cent-plus". "It may not be a miracle yet... but it is certainly headed in that direction."

Wanganui-born Laws, who has been mayor of the city for four years, announced on February 11 he was taking indefinite leave.

He and Brookhammer flew to Auckland's Starship hospital where Lucy has been through a barrage of treatments and tests.

Laws has written regular updates on her condition on his website and posted pictures of her in hospital.e time/space continuum where nothing else happens except in this room, in this ward and in this hospital," Laws wrote on Tuesday.

"I've caught up with little outside news except that the Waiouru medals were returned and Wanganui has finally received some rain. That's good - Lucy's return to health could complete the trilogy."

Laws has also used the blog to thank people for their prayers for Lucy, and detailed visits by her godfather Norm Hewitt and Wanganui deputy mayor Dot McKinnon.

"Leo and I are very tired now," Laws wrote last Thursday, after a CT scan showed the aspergillus fungal infection was not as prominent as the previous week.

"We're in a war - like all the parents on this ward. Tomorrow will be another battle, another skirmish, another fight and so will the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that. Our little girl is the principal combatant, we are the support staff."

Photos of Lucy show her eating and watching a movie in a room decorated with toys, pictures and bright blankets, with Laws calling her a "brave, spunky little girl".

Tests on Thursday showed that Lucy's leukaemia was easing and while the acute pneumonia was still present, it was looking "less harsh than last week".

"In addition, she looks well and the steroids have ensured she eats well. We are not out of the woods and she is still fighting two life-threatening diseases but... but the odds are now Lucy's and not some statistical freak."

McKinnon, who has been acting mayor since Laws went on leave, told the Herald on Sunday she was amazed at the number of well-wishers in Wanganui.

"People all want to know how she is... everywhere I go people are asking. The community has really rallied around for this."

She said Laws and Brookhammer seemed to be "taking turns at being strong", and Laws rang her and his personal assistant daily to update them on Lucy's status.

Every day a prayer meeting was held for Lucy and people were writing messages on a scroll, hoping for further improvement. "Let's hope it continues," she said.

Laws' golden girl needs a 'miracle'

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8:30AM Tuesday February 19, 2008
By Simon Woods

Michael Laws. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Michael Laws says it will be a "miracle" if his critically ill three-year-old daughter Lucy survives.

Mr Laws took indefinite leave from his Wanganui mayoralty after Lucy was taken to Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital on February 10.

Lucy is suffering from a rare combination of leukaemia and fungal disease aspergillosis and her chances of survival are rated slim at best.

"There is a 10 per cent chance of her pulling through, and the danger is now," Mr Laws said yesterday.

"If she can get to the end of this month, we will be a little bit better."

Mr Laws said there was little he or his partner, Leonie Brookhammer, could do to help Lucy, except spend as much time with her as possible.

He said support from people around the country had kept their spirits high.

"To all the people who sent us messages or cards, thank you. They really do work for us at this time in our lives.

"They've had a significant impact on our morale."

Messages of support had poured in steadily from Wanganui residents of all walks of life, including Lucy's friends at Busy Bee Preschool.

"People in Wanganui have been so good to us."

Meanwhile, Lucy's health continues to vary, although Mr Laws said she was looking slightly happier yesterday.

"It's incredible. If you were to look at her now, you might not think anything's wrong."

But her condition is serious.

Lucy's doctors know of only one other example of a child suffering from leukaemia and the specific fungal infection, aspergillosis, at the same time.

"The treatment is experimental. Usually they treat either the leukaemia or the fungus but they can't afford to choose one because they're both life-threatening. They need to treat both at the same time," Mr Laws said.

"She couldn't contract anything simple, she had to go and contract one of the rarest combinations out there."

Lucy has been prescribed at least half a dozen different drugs, including steroids, to fight the leukaemia, and is getting regular blood transfusions.

"She had literally no white blood cells."

Compounding the situation, Lucy's younger sister Zoe had unknowingly been in contact with someone suffering from chicken pox.

This means Lucy will not be able to see her for two weeks, because of the risk of infection.

"It makes things hard because they're very, very, very close," Mr Laws said.

And Lucy herself has no idea how serious things are.

"She thinks she's just not well and she's in hospital. We haven't really spoken to her about what's happening.

"We need a miracle, and I ask for people to pray for Lucy. She's my golden girl and ever since she's appeared she's been the light in my life."

Mr Laws has previously been involved in raising money for cancer research, selecting the Cancer Society as his chosen charity when taking part in the Dancing With The Stars television show last year.

- WANGANUI CHRONICLE, with NZPA

Michael Laws' daughter diagnosed with leukaemia

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NZPA | Tuesday, 12 February 2008

The three-year-old daughter of Wanganui mayor Michael Laws has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is also suffering from acute pneumonia.

Mr Laws announced yesterday he was taking indefinite leave as his daughter Lucy had been flown to Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland on Sunday.

After media and public inquiries Mr Laws today gave details of Lucy's illness.

In a statement he thanked all well wishers for their kind thoughts and prayers.

Mr Laws expected to return to Wanganui early next week, but his partner Leonie and Lucy would remain in Auckland much longer.

The couple asked that there be no more media inquiries as they dedicated their energy to supporting their children and making Lucy well.

Due to infection risk he asked that no further flowers be sent to Lucy.

Mr Laws has previously been involved in raising money for cancer research, selecting the Cancer Society as his chosen charity when taking part in the Dancing With The Stars television show last year.

- NZPA

Number one for Bianca

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GREER McDONALD - The Dominion Post | Friday, 07 December 2007

ANDREW GORRIE

BAD HAIR DAYS OVER: Lea White, whose daughter Bianca has leukaemia, shaved her hair to raise money for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Growing up with cancer

The irony of being given a shampoo sample when she arrived to get her head shaved for a cancer fundraiser is not lost on Lea White.

Growing up with cancer

The mother of two said it would come in handy one day, tucked it in the back pocket of her jeans and hurried to join the masses who had gathered in Wellington's Civic Square yesterday.

"At least I won't have a bad hair day tomorrow," she said.

The event - Funrazor - raised about $50,000 in Wellington in support of the Child Cancer Foundation, with more than 70 people, including 10 policemen, signing up to lose their tresses in the name of charity.

It is a foundation close to Mrs White's heart, after her four-year-old daughter, Bianca, was diagnosed in June with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

"It feels like a prison sentence at the start, but the Child Cancer Foundation gave us a lot of emotional support, petrol and meal vouchers, and even just offering us magazines to read," she said.

Bianca has been receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, since June, and her daily battles have been chronicled on The Dominion Post website through a blog written by her mother.

It was second time around yesterday for Mrs White, who shaved her head when Bianca's hair began to fall out after her first rounds of treatment in June.

"But that time it was a No 4 ," she said of the shave length. This time she decided on a No 1, but admitted to being apprehensive.

As her hair began to fall, the hairdresser declared that Mrs White's head was beautiful. "I feel beautiful," Mrs White said in front of a rapturous crowd.

Bianca was unable to view her mother's daring shave because she was in hospital to receive antibiotics intravenously.

Child Cancer Foundation spokesman Bob Knighton said he felt humbled by those who got their heads shaved - especially the women.

"To lose your hair as a woman is a major sacrifice, but it sends a message of support straight out to families."

He said the foundation did not receive government or other support from cancer-related foundations, so all money raised was well used.

Not all families spending time together at Christmas

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Not all families spending time together at Christmas 25-Dec 20:10 While Christmas is generally the time of year when families get together to celebrate the festive season, some families are kept apart for reasons they cannot control or even predict. A shortage of paediatric oncologists in Wellington means 2-year-old Kyah Milne and her family are spending Christmas Day in Christchurch’s Ronald McDonald House. “Our normal Christmases are usually spent up north and they are very big occasions,” Jason Milne told 3 News. “It’s a bit quiet this year, we miss the old Christmases but this one is different.” The Milnes are one of three Wellington families spending the festive season down south. They hope that by next Christmas, Wellington’s paediatric cancer ward will have enough staff so other families like theirs can be together for Christmas. Kyah has been in Christchurch Hospital since July, but was released yesterday. “That was our best Christmas presenter ever,” Mr Milne said. “She’s been in hospital for quite a while and she got released yesterday until the 3rd of January.” Families are also separated by tensions abroad. 400 Defence Force personnel are serving overseas this Christmas. One of them is Graham Foleni. He is currently posted in East Timor and is missing out on a traditional Rarotongan Christmas back home. “I think he’ll be missing the raw fish and all his island foods,” his father Leva said.

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Deal to treat cancer kids

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Boards join forces to keep sick children in capital
RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Families of Wellington child cancer patients sent away from home for treatment are relieved that agreement has been reached with Christchurch on creating a joint paediatric oncology service.

At a meeting yesterday, clinical staff and managers from Capital and Coast and Canterbury district health boards drew up a memorandum of understanding for a joint service - the only hope of restoring tertiary, or advanced, services to the central region.

Since the sudden resignation of Wellington's second paediatric oncologist in July, at least 12 children have had to be sent to Auckland or Christchurch for treatment.

Jason Milne, whose daughter Kyah, 2, is having treatment in Christchurch, said joining forces with Canterbury was "a great idea and a big step forward ... Frankly, Wellington needs all the help it can get at the moment."

Though the agreement must be formally ratified by the boards in the new year, both have agreed in principle to the concept of a single child cancer service operating from sites in Christchurch and Wellington.

Canterbury's chief medical officer, Nigel Millar, said children would still need to travel to Christchurch or Auckland till two paediatric oncologists were appointed to Capital and Coast, but it was then hoped that children would be cared for in the centre closest to their homes.

Capital and Coast's clinical director of child health, Graeme Lear, said it had taken a tremendous amount of collaboration between the two clinical teams to get to this point.

"We are satisfied that we now have the basis of a safe, quality, sustainable service for children and their families in our region."

Five families from the central region are based in Christchurch at present. Some who had returned home were sent back to Christchurch this week because Wellington's remaining paediatric oncologist is on leave.

Kyah, who was diagnosed in July with a neuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the adrenal glands, is in isolation after a stem cell transplant, which followed surgery and several courses of chemotherapy. Mr Milne said it had not yet been confirmed whether the last part of her treatment - radiotherapy - would be done in Wellington or Christchurch.

Health Minister David Cunliffe welcomed the boards' decision, saying children and their families required certainty about where and when treatment would be given.

Wellington Child Cancer Foundation chairman John Robson said that, though he commended the hard work that had gone into creating a memorandum of understanding, he would "hold off celebrating" till Wellington had a second paediatric oncologist, which would allow sick children to stay near home.

"They've signed off on it, now let's see them deliver it," he said.

A locum is due to start in January for six months and recruitment efforts continue to find two permanent specialists before oncologist Anne Mitchell leaves next month.