Lisa’s son Thomas was born healthy with no physical issues, however at the age of 11 months she became his full-time carer after he was diagnosed with cancer and would go on to experience several other health complications. Even through the hardest of times, Lisa’s love and dedication to supporting her son is evident, and she strives to give him the best life possible.
I’m a full-time carer to my amazing son whom, from a baby, has fought the odds over and over. When Thomas was 11 months old, I noticed he was not doing what normal babies do at that age, I was also taking care of his brother who was 1 and half years old. I noticed a lump and I paid to get a private scan. That is when my life changed forever and they told me he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Tom got so sick with treatment that he had two cardiac arrests and a stroke, that night he was rushed to intensive care and was in a coma for 29 days. I just could not believe what was happening to me or my son. They did a brain scan after and told me that he had suffered a lot of brain damage, they only gave him two months to live.
I would lay with him every minute of every day. Even though he was in a coma, I knew he could hear me, so I sang to him. I knew from that day on my life had changed but I knew what I had to do and that was to be a mum and be strong for both my boys.
Then I got diagnosed with cervical cancer and had to go through that. Looking after Tom over the years has been hard but when things like this happen, it’s going to be hard. Caring for him is not just something I need to do, but I want to do. We are mum and son but also, he is my best friend and I am his.
I love doing what I do for my son, and I would not change my life because looking after Tom is rewarding in so many ways. The smile on his face, the thank you I get every day from him, and him telling me I’m his beautiful mummy.
Lisa shares how Carers First has been a lifeline for her, since discovering them a while ago:
“Carers First helped me so much when social services wouldn’t. They have been there for me. They helped to get me a tumble drier, and then in this really hot weather we have had this summer, they got my son an air con unit as he was suffering in the heat. They listen, even if you just need to chat, they are truly amazing.”
“I waited many years to get help of any kind it’s only been the past 10 years that I started getting any help from any services, but I get some carers come in for two hours every day, and three days Tom gets some social time.
I don’t get out much and my life is my caring role, so I don’t see a lot of people. It’s hard and it does impact my mental health, but I try to stay grounded within myself. I find myself isolated a lot of times, but caring for my son is one of the most important things I have in my life. It’s been a very long journey for us both.
Watching Tom going from only being given two months to live to now nearly turning 25 years old, I have put some much work because I knew my son and he is not a quitter, he is a fighter.”
Lisa takes pride in caring for her son, and she feels as though being his full-time carer has enabled them to build a special bond, “I care for my son because he did not ask to be this way or for all this to happen to him. I love being his mum and his carer, and I would not want any other life now this is my life and his and we are happy in our lives.”
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