“The doctors and nurses made me feel safe” – Asiyah’s story
Eight-year-old Asiyah was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in May 2024 and has since been looked after by the supportive team on children’s cancer ward E39. She shared her story with us.
“I had a cancer called leukaemia, which is when the blood gets poorly and doesn’t work properly, so I had to take lots of medicine to help make it better.
When I was sick, it would sometimes make me tired or even scared but mostly all I wanted was to feel normal again. Some days were hard, but I tried to be really brave.
It wasn’t always fun being in the hospital, but the nurses and doctors were really kind. I had my own room, and I tried to make it cosy with my toys and drawings.
When I was sick, I had chemo, which made my hair fall out and made me feel a bit sad. I had to have lots of medicines through a drip and sometimes had to stay in the hospital for days. I also have blood tests, scans and check-ups all the time.
The doctors and nurses were amazing! Always smiling and checking in me. They made me feel safe when I had to stay in the hospital. They talked to me like a friend, brought me things to colour with, and sometimes even played games with me. When they had to explain things to me, they did so really kindly.
My favourite members of staff were Chloe, Lucy, Emma, Emily, Beth, Aleema, Jessie and so many more. I remember all their names because they made me feel special.
During my hospital stays, I liked to paint, play on the iPad, watch movies and make bead bracelets. I also made some friends during playtime on the ward. We laughed a lot and played games when we were allowed to.
My mum and dad made me feel really brave as well as my fluffy rainbow blanket and trying to remember that I was getting better every day.
Now that I’m at home, my mum and dad look after me. They take care of me, play with me and help me with my schoolwork."
Asiyah’s friends from Leicester High School for Girls unanimously voted to dedicate their yearly charity fundraising to ward £39 after they looked after Asiyah. They took on a whole host of amazing fundraising activities, including a Disney-themed bounceathon, bake sales, junior disco, and the school’s cultural Fusion Festival, and raised an incredible £7,500. The money they raised will help provide storage for the playroom, and complementary therapy, which helps young patients relax and get some relief from their treatment and symptoms in an area away from the ward.
A huge thank you to all the staff and pupils at Leicester High School for Girls, and to Asiyah for sharing her story with us.
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