Gold Coast Health is recognised for quality patient care, nursing and midwifery excellence and innovations in professional nursing and midwifery practice under the Magnet® Recognition Program.
"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.
Alarm bells went off when four-year-old Archer showed worrying symptoms in January, including extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, poor balance, difficulty walking in a straight line and drooping eyelids.
Archer presented to Gold Coast University Hospital where he was immediately admitted and soon diagnosed with Medulloblastoma – a brain tumour which was located between his spinal stem and cerebellum.
“It was terrifying finding out,” Dad Chris said.
“We went from trying to understand why our little boy was unwell one moment, to facing brain surgery and cancer treatment the next. The thought of losing him was devastating.”
In the blink of an eye, Archer was transferred to Queensland Children’s Hospital for surgery, where his tumour was successfully removed.
He then underwent 30 radiation treatments over six weeks, attending appointments five days a week. In May, Archer began chemotherapy, with treatment delivered in monthly cycles.
“This year our family life has revolved around treatment and helping Archer recover,” Chris said.
“It has meant planned hospital stays, unplanned admissions to manage infections and blood transfusions, countless appointments and a lot of travel. There have been long days, disrupted routines and a lot of emotional strain for all of us.”
Despite everything the past nine months has thrown at him, Archer has faced it with remarkable spirit.
“It has been Archer’s ability to laugh and connect with people that has helped carried us through some very hard days,” Chris said.
“He is a confident, social, and hilarious little man. That spark has kept him in good spirits as he laughs with hospital staff and navigated each stage of treatment.”
All going well, Archer will complete his treatment in the coming months.
Chris’s message to families going through a similar experience: you do not have to know how to handle everything at once.
“Ask questions, do your own research, ask for second and third opinions, accept help and focus on the next step in front of you,” he said.
“It is okay to feel exhausted or frightened and still find moments of joy with your child.”
