Harper’s journey

Hi everyone. My name is Molly and I am a friend of Alex, Anthony, and Harper. I met Alex, while I was training to be a nurse, and as a nurse herself, Alex has always inspired me with her kindness, compassion, and selflessness. She never asks for help of any kind and is always determined to do things on her own but in this instance, I believe no parent should have to battle a journey like this alone. Please see below Alex’s and Anthony’s daughter’s heartbreaking journey so far..

we are raising money for Harper’s upcoming eye surgery that will change her life forever, however also have a profound impact on Alex and Anthony’s immediate circumstances with loss of income due to hospital trips, doctors visits, scans, monitoring, ect.

On this Daffodil Day, it feels right to share Harper’s cancer journey that’s unfolded over the last two weeks. It all started when Anthony noticed a slight change in her pupil color, leading us to the ED and an urgent referral to the Royal Children’s Hospital. What followed were multiple tests and an MRI under general anesthesia, and then we heard the words no parent ever wants to hear: “I’m so sorry, Harper has the same eye cancer you had—Retinoblastoma.”

The tumor was so large that the doctors had no choice but to remove her eye. Thankfully, the cancer is contained to her left eye, but we still need to find out if she’ll require chemotherapy to ensure all the cancer cells are gone from her bloodstream.

Understandably, Anthony and I are devastated, and our emotions have been all over the place. This is something no one should have to navigate, but we’re incredibly grateful for the exceptional care from the Royal Children’s Hospital, and for our amazing friends and family who check in every day, make meals, and even do our grocery shopping.

We’re moving forward, raising Harper in a way that ensures it never holds her back. In some way it’s nice to know I will be able to fully understand her experience and will be there for her in a whole new way. She’s still her happy and calm self and remains so strong, and her smiles make it all worth it. So life can change so instantly and drastically I hope you hug your loved ones extra tight. Because F*ck Cancer.