How a B.C. child's diagnosis changed her parents' perspective on life
The life perspectives of two B.C. parents have shifted dramatically after their daughter got a life-changing diagnosis.
In 2024, Lilah, who was only 16 months at the time, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Instead of the usual early childhood milestones, Lilah’s parents, Holly and Geoff, spent much time in B.C. Children’s Hospital, where Lilah received incredible care to get her to where she is today.
During Lilah’s initial chemotherapy, she developed a severe E. coli blood infection, which required six weeks of intensive, multi-departmental care and surgery.
Holly and Geoff spoke to Daily Hive about the journey, how Lilah is doing today, how her brother Riley helped, and the impact of the care at B.C. Children’s has had.
Learning about Lilah’s diagnosis
Before the diagnosis, it just seemed like Lilah had a lingering cold.
“She had something kind of on and off over the fall,” Geoff said, adding that kids do tend to get sick a lot.
Geoff said one day they noticed red dots (petechiae) on Lilah, thinking it might have just been a rash or something.
“They did a couple of tests in the emergency and came back and told us she didn’t have any white blood cells effectively.”
That’s when they learned that Lilah had ALL. We asked what the experience of learning about that diagnosis was like.
“When you hear the words ‘leukemia,’ you think the worst for your kid, and it’s a very humbling moment to know that can happen to someone so young and they can be faced with that future.”
Geoff said that, luckily for Lilah, the form of leukemia she had is unfortunately common, but also heavily researched.
We also asked Lilah’s mom, Holly, what it was like to learn about the diagnosis.
“Ah, so you want to start off with me crying,” Holly said, mostly joking.
“It was really devastating. It’s like your whole world kind of just stops,” she said, fighting tears.
“You never want your mind to go there. So, honestly, it was shocking, but you just have to go with what’s going on because you have to be strong for her.”
Going through it together, as a family
Lilah and her brother at a Canucks game earlier this year. (Submitted)
The experience not only showcased Lilah’s resilience, but the whole family unit’s as well.
“Having her be as strong as she is, it just kind of makes you realize how much strength our family has and the foundation that we have. And we honestly couldn’t have done it without the hospital just making us realize that.”
Geoff pointed out that there are kids at Children’s who don’t have as clear a path as Lilah does.
“We understand the only way to get to the point where they can have a full and enjoyable life is to help support the cause of funding research,” Geoff said, adding that supporting these kids is one of the most impactful things that we can do as a society, because they’re the most vulnerable.
Lilah’s brother, Riley, was only four when it all started, and Geoff said it was amazing how quickly he grasped the situation they were in and was always supportive and a big part of Lilah’s recovery.
We asked Holly if there were certain individuals she wanted to highlight who helped their daughter in her journey.
“Adam Sage was our resident doctor, and he was incredibly helpful,” Holly said, adding that he was thorough with everything and would really listen.
She also mentioned Natasha Datoo, who was also really thorough and helpful.
Child Life support was also crucial for enhancing Lilah’s experience, and Holly mentioned Ashley, Tracy, Christina, and Heather specifically. These individuals would play games with Lilah. There was also a music specialist named Erin.
There were also a couple of nurses named Alex and Kiara, who, along with Child Life, would help out so that Holly could step out of the room and take a breather. The B.C. parents also gave a nod to Surrey Memorial Hospital, which handled some of Lilah’s care.
Lilah’s now at a point where she’s at home, and the family is going to the hospital for specialized treatments.
“But the bulk of our time is at home, and she’s able to manage chemotherapy at home, which is a huge break for us,” Geoff said.
A shift in perspective
Submitted
Going through a life-changing event like this can shift someone’s entire outlook on life, and it seemed like it did for both these B.C. parents.
“It’s hard to walk away from something like this and not have a different view of how things work,” Geoff said.
Geoff said the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Choices Lottery, which supports the research and allows families like Lilah’s to get this kind of treatment, is phenomenal, and he isn’t sure he’d be as comfortable going through this in a different part of the world.
“There’s such a dread that you feel for not even your own life but your child’s life. Knowing there’s some form of knowledge and security and that someone else has already figured out how to treat this, and that didn’t exist 50 years ago, it’s kind of amazing to think about.”
“Don’t take life for granted,” Holly added. “Just live your life right now and cherish every moment that you have because you never know what’s going to happen next. And honestly, family’s everything.”
The Choices Lottery supports groundbreaking research initiatives at BC Children’s Hospital, where over 2,000 research professionals strive to redefine the future of pediatric care. More information can be found at www.bcchildren.com.