'I'm absolutely broken': Woman whose first child died at 3-days-old reveals her second baby has leaukemia
HERTFORDSHIRE, UK: A woman whose first child died during surgery, now announced that her second son, who is a month-old, has leukaemia. Sophie Kitcher, 34, of Ware, Hertfordshire, learned that her son Ralphie has acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which has a 30% survival rate. She lost her first child, Huxley, when he was just three days old in July 2021. He was diagnosed with Down's syndrome and died following surgery to close a hole in his colon.
Kitcher posted on Instagram, 'If we haven't already been through hell and back here we are again, our beautiful darling rainbow boy has been diagnosed with leukaemia. I don't understand how life can be so cruel and my baby has now got to go through this. Ralphie you are our purpose and the reason we are still both here today fighting for you with your brother looking over us. Please everyone say your prayers for us, mummy and daddy are absolutely broken in pieces. How has this happened you are so perfect," per The Daily Mail.
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According to Daily Mail, Ralphie will undergo chemotherapy for the next five months at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the same London hospital that Kitcher and her husband Luke went to for Huxley's treatment. He was born at Harlow's Princess Alexandra Hospitalon October 5. As Huxley was born under the Leo zodiac sign, Ralphie's middle name is Leo. The name has connections with lions and traits of bravery and strength. The name was chosen in honour of Huxley.
Posting on Instagram at the time, Kitcher said, "I just know you are now here our baby boy to help heal Mummy and Daddys broken hearts, you really have made us smile again. Here's to this new chapter as a family, never ever lose that hope or give up on ur dreams, miracles really do happen."
According to the Mayo Clinic, AML is an rare form of cancer, with just 3,100 people in the UK receiving a diagnosis each year. Since the danger of getting AML rises with age and is most prevalent in those over 75, Ralphie's case was particularly uncommon. A GoFundMe campaign has been created by friends for the family. The family will be able to be together through a very trying period thanks to the more than £50,000 (~$57,316) that has already been raised, they said.
