When Pene and Kristian noticed unusual bruising on their two-and-a-half-year-old son Hugo’s body, they couldn’t have imagined the journey that lay ahead. What started as a concerned visit to the doctor quickly turned into a life-changing diagnosis: T-Cell Acute Lymphatic Leukaemia.
The family was immediately transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. For Pene, those first weeks were a blur of medical procedures, sleepless nights, and overwhelming emotions.
Hugo’s condition worsened, leading to a two-week stay in the ICU.
It was during this challenging time that the family first encountered Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy. It became a much-needed sanctuary away from the hospital environment.
As Hugo’s condition stabilised and he was moved out of ICU, Pene recalls wheeling him into the House for the first time. “It was actually really exciting bringing him here,” Pene remembers.
“There were the toys, there was an outdoor play area. And we’d already started to build a rapport with staff here.”
For Hugo, who had been confined to a hospital room for weeks, the House offered a new world of experiences. He could interact with other children, play in the open spaces, and begin to regain his strength.
Hugo’s treatment journey has been intense. He’s undergone numerous procedures, including over 20 general anaesthetics for various tests and treatments. The family has had to navigate the complexities of central lines, ports, and the emotional toll of seeing their child go through such invasive procedures.
Pene says through it all, Ronald McDonald House was a constant source of support. We provided not just a place to stay, but a community. Pene fondly remembers making pizzas in the kitchen with other families, and the bonds Hugo formed with other children staying at the House.
The family established a routine of travelling back and forth, between their home in Port Campbell and Melbourne, for Hugo’s treatments. Ronald McDonald House has been their base during these stays, providing a sense of normality and comfort during a challenging and transient time.
“They’ve been able to accommodate us every single time.”
For Hugo, the House has become a positive association with his trips to Melbourne. “For him, this is the bonus of coming back to Melbourne for his crappy treatment,” Pene says. “Being able to stay here for him is like, ‘Yes, I’ll do that.’”
The impact of Ronald McDonald House extends beyond the immediate family. Pene’s parents have become enthusiastic advocates and in a touching full-circle moment, the family discovered that their neighbour back home sponsors a room at Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy.
It’s a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the House, and the community of support we foster.