On Mother’s Day in 2018, Randa and Dean learned their then 11-month-old daughter Siena had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
“Nothing prepares you for the shock of hearing your child is ill,” says Randa.
Siena spent 10 months at the IWK undergoing chemotherapy treatment, followed by a year of maintenance therapy.
Unfortunately, in 2020, Randa and Dean were shocked and devastated to learn that Siena’s cancer was back. “It was a lot for us to take in,” says Dean. “But thank goodness for the IWK—our lives have totally changed.”
After undergoing more chemotherapy treatments and two rounds of immunotherapy, Siena received a bone marrow transplant in June 2020.
“She needed a feeding tube and lost her ability to walk after being in bed for that time,” shares Randa. “It took her a few weeks to start eating enough again and a few weeks out of the hospital before she got enough strength back to get around on her own.”
Siena, now seven years old, has fortunately remained cancer-free since completing her treatment and receiving the bone marrow transplant over four years ago. She visits the IWK every six months for regular check-ups.
“She is a happy child who makes the best of every day,” says Randa. “She continues to amaze everyone around her.”
