Senya is a superstar

Seven-year-old Senya is a bright, bubbly kid. But she has faced a long, difficult battle with cancer. Senya was diagnosed with leukaemia on 15th August 2022. What should have been six months of intensive treatment has ended up being more than ten months.

Mum, Thi, remembers so clearly the day Senya was diagnosed. The family thought that they were taking their daughter for a routine blood test. Later that night, they received a call from the doctor’s office. “My heart immediately sunk. I just looked at my husband and we both had this uneasy feeling that this type of call would change our lives.”

“The minute the oncologist said leukaemia, I went into complete shock and denial. I remember telling her that she had it wrong and needed to check again.”

Like many children who receive this type of diagnosis, Senya started aggressive treatment straight away. While she doesn’t have any siblings, she and her cousin are very close, and Senya has leaned on her through this time.

“They are like sisters; they are partners in crime. Her cousin would send lots of video messages and drawings of the two of them playing together.” These small moments put a smile on Senya’s face, during a difficult time.

“It’s amazing how she has automatically stepped up. It’s as though she has seen all the pain Senya has been through and would do anything to make her smile.”

There is a shared comradery among the families who face cancer. Thi says that even though it can feel disheartening seeing kids who were diagnosed after Senya, move through treatment faster, she feels a tremendous amount of empathy for those families. “Every time a kid rings the bell, even if I don’t know them, I shed a tear of joy and relief for that family.”

Since her diagnosis, life has changed dramatically. “As parents, we have a very different perspective on life now. All the hopes and dreams you have for your child have to take a back seat. Now we just focus on giving her a good quality of life. Each day when she is smiling and has her health, is a good day. This is what we hold on to as well as trying to create new and happy memories.”

Senya’s first experience with Camp Quality was when the Cancer Education Program visited her school. At the end of the show, Senya bravely took off her beanie and proudly showed that she had no hair due to the chemotherapy.

The confidence she gained from the puppet show was only possible because they were able to explain a complex illness to her classmates. Since then the family have had the opportunity to go on other Camp Quality programs – giving them the chance to create new, positive memories outside the hospital.

“Camp Quality allowed Senya to be a kid and gave her opportunities to make new social connections with other kids going through something similar. They have helped us to start the healing process.”

Because of her diagnosis, Senya has missed out on being a kid – going to kindergarten, learning and making friends. She has missed birthday parties, dance performances and school graduation.

“It broke my heart seeing how life was meant to be but instead watching her in a hospital bed often on many machines supporting her.”

Senya is still in treatment and is taking chemotherapy from home. “It has been an absolutely gruelling year. Thankfully, the intensive phase of treatment is behind and now we’re starting maintenance treatment and have just over 12 months left.”

Find out more about our Camp Quality programs and services.