Ozzie was diagnosed on October 2018 following a short spell of illness, an infection he couldn't shift. After a couple of visits to the Doctors and a full blood count check, he was diagnosed with AML a blood cancer. Ozzie spent over 3 months initially in Belfast Children's Hospital receiving chemotherapy to get him to remission. After the 1st round we were told his condition was refractory and he had suffered a serious heart condition and further treatment could result in acute heart failure and we could lose him. The Consultants decided to remove one of the chemo drugs to give him a chance to get to remission, along with a targeted therapy. Thankfully he did finally reach remission and was eligible for a bone marrow transplant in Bristol March 2019.

Just over a year later Ozzie relapsed in April 2020 in the midst of the 1st Covid lockdown. His leukaemia was back, a different mutation and no targeted therapy available,  just a chemo which is used more for older patients with AML. Sadly this was unsuccessful and Ozzie was left with limited options but to only try and manage the leukaemia. 

After numerous visits to outpatients in the City Hospital for blood transfusions and palliative treatment, Ozzie became unwell in August and was admitted complaining of pain in his lung and temperatures. Devasting news came within days of being admitted and only I was told how serious Ozzie's condition was. His daddy was allowed to come and stay close to the hospital and we both cared for Ozzie until he passed away 10th September 2020. 

I want this year to try and support charities that not only directly had contact with us as a family but also help to charities carry out research into blood cancers, as the treatment is harsh, relentless and so many damaging side effects.