Myrah

Myrah was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in her right kidney at 6 months old.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue (specifically skeletal muscle tissue) and sometimes in the bladder or uterus. It is extremely rare in kidneys.

After 12 rounds of chemotherapy, Myrah won her early battle with cancer. Unfortunately, a few years later, it would return to another part of her body.

Four-year-old Myrah was playing in the rain, when she slipped and fell on her left arm. When she complained of pain in her arm the next day, her mother Roselyn, knew something wasn’t quite right. An X-ray found the source of the pain was a tumour around the bone and Myrah was referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital for further investigations that same day.

After further testing, Myrah was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that occurs in the bones or the soft tissue around the bones, and can cause stiffness, pain, swelling, and/or tenderness.

Rosleyn said the fall was a blessing in disguise.

“If she didn’t fall over and land on her arm, we wouldn’t have been able to act so quickly,” she said.

Myrah started treatment straight away. She needed 2 rounds of chemotherapy over 3 months to shrink the tumour and then surgery to remove 10 centimetres from her left upper arm bone (humerus) and replace it with a section of the fibula bone from her lower right leg.

She then required another 7 months of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, 3 months after her surgery Myrah needed a second operation to repair a fracture in the fibula bone that was used to replace her upper arm bone.

“Myrah was very determined throughout her treatment. She always kept a positive attitude,” Roselyn said. “She would tell everyone that she would be okay and that Jesus will heal her.”

“We were continuously praying for Myrah’s healing.”

Although Myrah tried to stay positive throughout her treatment, she did struggle with losing her hair and wasn’t able to look at herself in the mirror.

“The occupational therapist gave Myrah a book to help her understand what was happening, and my husband and I cut our hair off so we would all look the same,” Roselyn said.

After almost 6 months with her arm in a cast, working with a physiotherapist and doing her exercises at home, Myrah regained full use of her arm.

“The doctors, nurses and volunteers at the hospital were a big part of Myrah’s treatment and had a positive impact on her. She always looks forward to the hospital appointments so she can see them again,” Roselyn said.

“You are not meant to do this journey on your own and I would like other parents to know that.”

“Just know that you are doing the best you can for yourself, your family and your child.”

Myrah completed her final course of chemotherapy in June 2018 and rang the ‘ringing out bell’ when she finished treatment 2 months later. She continues to have check-ups with the oncology team every 6 months and the orthopaedic team every 12 months at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Now 9, Myrah is continuing her passion for art and loves drawing and painting for her family.