When Imogen lost her dog to cancer, no one imagined that her fatigue was anything but grief. Yet suddenly, she was at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and facing a cancer diagnosis herself – leukemia.  

Imogen’s parents took the then eight-year-old to their local doctor after becoming increasingly concerned about her ongoing fatigue, and bruised and yellow skin. However, following a nosebleed at school, Imogen was taken and admitted to the RCH.

“I knew something was not right, but I didn’t know what it was. I would have never, ever thought it would be cancer,” Shannon, Imogen’s mother shared. 

“The next day, they wheeled Imogen into Kookaburra, the RCH’s oncology ward. She then freaked out because she saw it said cancer ward and she knew our dog had died from cancer,” she added.  

This, coupled with the fact that Imogen had never been to hospital before her cancer symptoms appeared, meant she was “completely overwhelmed”. 

“I was just so stressed – it was all too much to process,” Imogen said. 

To support Imogen through this time, she was referred to the RCH’s dedicated procedural pain management consultation service, Comfort First. Thanks to philanthropic support from Camp Quality and My Room Children’s Cancer Charity, the Comfort First program uses play techniques and education to reduce pain and distress during cancer treatment.   

With the support of the Comfort First team, Imogen began to tackle her treatment plan head on.  

Since then, she has undergone daily chemotherapy sessions, around 20 surgeries, and even considers the hospital her second home. Despite all this hospital experience, Imogen struggles with procedures like flushes in her port.  

Thankfully for Imogen, and others like her, the hospital’s latest fleet of syringe pumps have helped her feel as safe and comfortable as possible. This state-of-the-art equipment is also made possible thanks to philanthropic funding, and provides patients across the RCH with precise administration of medications, chemotherapy and nutrients. 

“We would always request the syringe pump – it became sort of a prerequisite that it was always used for flushes. Most kids wouldn’t use it [the syringe pump] for those types of things, but Imogen didn’t cope with people doing it manually,” Shannon explained.  

The syringe pumps were extra helpful for Imogen as she couldn’t swallow tablets for the first year of her treatment, and some of her medicine was delivered via the syringe pumps.  

“I did not feel anything. It was just really easy,” Imogen shared.  

Shannon could not be more grateful for Imogen’s medical team, as well as the personalised care that Imogen has been able to receive.  

“Our medical team worked with us in trying to ensure that the hospital was a safe space for Imogen. They understood that she was going to be connected to the hospital for many years to come,” Shannon explained.  

“There’s a five-year follow-up process for this type of cancer. So, I think they’ve done everything possible to make sure that it’s a comfortable space and not traumatic for her,” she continued.  

The RCH has made a huge impact on Imogen and her entire family. Most importantly, it has completely transformed the way she views hospitals.  

“This sounds weird, but I love the RCH – it is like the best hospital ever. Everyone’s so nice there,” Imogen shared.  

Both Imogen and Shannon are incredibly grateful to supporters of the RCH Foundation for their generosity and support, especially for helping fund syringe pumps and the Comfort First Program.  

“I think we’re just blown away really – to all the people that give, we’re really grateful,” both Imogen and Shannon expressed. 

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