Peggy’s story

Peggy was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Suddenly, the family was facing months away from home while she underwent treatment in Melbourne.

With no family support network nearby, a nurse helped arrange accommodation at Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania Parkville.

The family was told they could be in Melbourne for up to eight months.

“Our world had been turned upside down,” Tana said. “We didn’t know day from night, left from right.”

For a family of six, the diagnosis changed everything. Life was now split between Bendigo and Melbourne, hospital appointments and home, treatment and everyday family life.

Having somewhere to stay close to Peggy’s treatment meant one less thing to worry about.

Most importantly, it helped the family stay connected.

Peggy’s siblings visit on weekends, and Tana and her husband are able to take turns caring for Peggy while still spending time with their other children at home.

“The hardest part is that Peggy and her siblings are very close, so being apart during the week is really difficult,” Tana said.

When the family first arrived at Ronald McDonald House, they found the basics already taken care of.

“We weren’t thinking straight,” Tana said.

Milk was in the fridge, bread was in the cupboard, and essentials like towels and cleaning supplies were ready and waiting.

“They were all things you just don’t think about when you’ve got so much else going on. Just provided.”

While Peggy’s treatment continues, finding moments of normality has become important.

One of those moments has come through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which helps children stay engaged with their education while away from school.

“The learning program that Peggy has access to is incredible and has really been a bright spot,” Tana said.

“Having that one-on-one time with her beautiful tutor has been so good.”

The impact of Peggy’s diagnosis has extended well beyond the hospital. Tana left her job at the start of the year and her husband took extended leave to help care for Peggy and support the family.

Knowing accommodation will be available whenever Peggy needs treatment in Melbourne provides reassurance during an uncertain time.

“The fact that the thought process is taken away is a huge thing,” Tana said.

“I know that I can just ring a couple of weeks before and say, ‘We need to come to Melbourne’ for one night, or ten weeks, whatever it is, and the people who work here make it happen.”

For Tana, having a place where the family can be together has made all the difference.

“We’ve gone through this massive, life-altering diagnosis with Peggy and our family,” she said.

“And the fact that we have somewhere where all of our kids can come and stay, where we can still be together from time to time, that’s honestly been incredible.

“Something we will never forget.”

Hear more about their journey in the video below.