Often, we find reasons to be dissatisfied with our lives. While our hurt, discomforts, and hardships are worth feeling in order to move past, they are not always as bad as they seem. Stories like this one remind us to be grateful for the lives we have. They also remind us to feel empathy or compassion for others.
A bereaved mom from the U.K. shares the heartbreaking story of her new baby’s diagnosis of Leukemia. While this in itself is hard to imagine, she also shares they had a baby last year who passed away. Their first born was only days old at the time.
A Bereaved Mom Shares Her Story
On October 5th, 2022, Sophie Kitcher and her husband Luke welcomed a son into the world. His name is Ralphie Leo Kitcher, and their story is one that will certainly pull at your heartstrings. Ralphie was born at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, West of Essex, England. This week the family was informed that Ralphie has a condition known as Acute Myeloid Leukemia. “I don’t understand how life can be so cruel and my baby has now got to go through this,” the bereaved mom said about their situation.
According to his doctors, he’s got a 30% chance of living through this. Nonetheless, medical professionals are hard at work to try and help Ralphie recover. Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe account that has already raised over £70,000 ($109kUSD). The funds are helping cover medical costs and a place to stay near the hospital. The family wants nothing more than to be together during this difficult time. Ralphie will undergo chemotherapy treatments for the next five months at a hospital in London, Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Read: 20-Year-Old Takes On Raising Her Five Siblings After Both Parents Die From Cancer
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Typically, healthy cells are meant to be regenerated in the body. Cells are constantly being replaced and every 10-15 the body is totally renewed. Cancer of any kind refers to a condition in which cells that are old, abnormal, or mutated become copied. Leukemias are conditions in which these cancerous cells are found in the blood. Ralphie’s particular type of canter, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, is found in bone marrow but often moves rapidly to the bloodstream.
Another Tragedy Faced by the Bereaved Mom
“Ralphie, you are our purpose and the reason we are still both here today fighting for you with your brother looking over us,” Sophie said of her new baby boy. So, you may wonder what she means by “your brother looking over us”. The situation is heartbreaking and scary enough but Sophie and Luke went through another hardship last year. They had another son by the name of Huxley.
He was just three days old when he passed away during surgery. At birth, in July of 2021, he was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. Three days later he had to have an operation to repair a hole in his intestine. Unfortunately, Huxley didn’t make it and the bereaved mom was broken inside. She and Luke were over the moon about their new arrival.
A true miracle, and ‘perfection‘ according to posts Sophie shared on Instagram. The family is asking for positive thoughts, healing prayers, and for any donations possible. Sophie and Luke are doing everything they can to support Ralphie on his journey to recovery. Unsurprisingly, they are heartbroken, confused, and exhausted as they try to stay strong for their son.
Keep Reading: ‘I Brought My 2-Year-Old to the Hospital for a Broken Leg & Left With a Cancer Diagnosis’