Graphic: Maddison at school in hospital
At only 6 years-old, little Maddison has needed the Flying Doctor five times…
It all began when she started complaining of pain in her leg.
Maddison’s mum, Vanessa, took her to the emergency department in Bundaberg.
At first, they thought she had an infection so Vanessa, a nurse herself, thought they would simply pick up some medication and be home for lunch.
What she didn’t know at the time was that they wouldn’t be home for a full year.
Following an ultrasound, the medical team discovered a worrying ‘mass’ in Maddison’s pelvis – she needed to be flown to hospital in Brisbane as soon as possible for an emergency MRI scan.
Our aircraft and dedicated Flying Doctor crew arrived within hours to rush her to Brisbane.
Maddison was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It was news no mum can ever prepare for.
Vanessa remembers thinking: “This can’t be right. She can’t have this. Maybe it’s a misdiagnosis.”
The tumour in Maddison’s pelvis was already the size of a grapefruit, so intensive treatment began immediately.
Graphic: Maddison at school in hospital
Over the course of a year, she endured 14 cycles of chemotherapy and 31 doses of radiation.
The past two years have been nothing short of a nightmare for Maddison’s family.
Plans can’t be made and ‘normal’ family life has had to be put on hold.
“Cancer has split our family apart so many times”, Vanessa explains.
Your gift this Christmas will change the lives of families like Maddison’s, providing vital service at the time they need it most.
“I’m just so thankful that the Flying Doctor has been there to help Maddison get the treatment she’s needed,” says Vanessa.
