For most children, jumping into a swimming pool comes without a second thought. But for seven-year-old Senya, it symbolises an incredible milestone.
Last summer, a swimming pool was built at Senya’s family home. But unfortunately, due to having a central line while undergoing treatment for leukaemia, she was unable to swim, as a central line cannot get wet.
A year on from her cancer diagnosis, the day arrived for Senya to transition to maintenance chemotherapy and for her central line to be removed. Senya knew exactly what she wanted to do. Hand in hand with her mum, Thi, Senya took the plunge. For the very first time she jumped into her family’s new swimming pool, and as she broke through the surface of the water, she was able to take a deep breath and embrace a new beginning.
"Finally, we were able to celebrate. It was an incredibly special moment; one we will always cherish,” Thi said.
Senya was admitted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW), in August 2022 with B Cell Leukaemia. Her treatment plan was based on the AIEOP BFM ALL 2017 protocol, involving a combination of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures with intrathecal methotrexate, and steroid therapy, to target and control the leukemia cells.
During her treatment, Senya faced a series of complications requiring multiple surgeries, which is not uncommon, given the weakening of the immune system caused by chemotherapy. Just before Christmas last year, Senya was experiencing high fevers and abdominal pain and was taken to surgery as she had been vomiting blood.
Interventional Radiologists from the Interventional Radiology (IR) Suite at CHW, generously funded by Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), performed a bronchial artery embolisation to identify and treat the fungal infection that had developed in Senya’s lungs. This minimally invasive procedure reduced the risks of surgery, as well as Senya’s recovery time, making it possible for Senya to celebrate the festive season at home with her loved ones.
Thi says that although Senya has felt overwhelmed before undergoing similar procedures in the past, she remembers this particular experience as a positive one.
“I remember Senya was nervous about going into surgery. She expressed concern to the anaesthetists about the funny taste of the mask used for anaesthesia, so the anaesthetists went out of their way to let her choose a flavoured lip balm which they then spread on the inside of her mask to help hide the smell,” Thi said. “The surgery was a success, and we were so happy to be able to spend that special time of the year together at home.” 
Senya has benefited greatly from the dedicated care of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Their unwavering support has been essential to her overall wellbeing.
“From the doctors and nurses on the wards to the physiotherapists and Child Life and Music therapists, Senya’s medical team have been a source of joy and comfort to us. They have become like a second family,” Thi said.
When Senya was well enough to be back at home, her treatment continued with a Hospital in the Home (HITH) nurse visiting her almost daily for months, to monitor her progress and adjust her medications as needed.
“The HITH nurses allowed us to spend time at home as a family instead of making the long three-hour round trip to and from the hospital every day. This made huge difference in Senya’s recovery,” Thi said.
While still recovering from the effects of her treatment, Senya has transitioned back to school after almost a year of absence. With the support of the Hospital School at CHW she has adapted remarkably well and has been able to remain connected to her peers whilst in hospital with the Back on Track Program, also generously funded by SCHF.
“She is quickly catching up, much to the delight of her teachers who are pleased with her progress,” Thi said. “I cannot thank everyone enough for everything they have done for us.”