WHEN four-month-old Melody came down with what looked like a harmless cold in April 2025, her parents expected a few days of sniffles.
But when her breathing became laboured and she couldn’t breastfeed properly, Rachel-Elizabeth Hewitt and Kevin Aggett realised something far more serious could be wrong with their youngest child.
After 12 hours passed without a single wet nappy, Melody was blue-lighted to their local hospital in Poole, Dorset, to get her checked over.
Within hours, doctors revealed that Melody had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a rare and fast-developing blood cancer.
“It didn’t feel real,” Rachel said. “I was so shocked, I had to ask the consultant to repeat her words.
“Hearing those words was like a stabbing pain in my heart.”
The first consultant Melody saw thought she had bronchiolitis, a chest infection that can cause breathing problems, and decided the baby could go home.
“Luckily” the baby was seen by another consultant who fitted her with a nasogastric tube and kept her in overnight, the mum explained.
The next day Melody was examined by yet another consultant, who ordered a GAS test, which measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
Within minutes, more blood tests were taken and just one hour later, they were given Melody’s devastating diagnosis.
She was given a platelet transfusion immediately, before being transferred to a paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) in Southampton.
“Melody arrived with the highest white blood cell count the doctors had ever seen,” the couple wrote on a GoFundMe page they launched to help take care of their daughter, which, at time of writing, has raised over £13k.
She then spent 30 days in the ICU, which involved two weeks on a ventilator and two rounds of chemotherapy.
Her diagnosis affects around 100 children and young adults each year in the UK, according to Cancer Support UK.
In August, she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for an urgent bone marrow transplant.
Melody’s consultant, with over 30 years of experience in Paediatric Oncology, told the parents their daughter’s cancer case was one of the “most complex” she has ever seen.
Despite the different treatments, Rachel has been able to provide some comfort, especially with being able to breastfeed again.
She said: “We do as much as possible with Melody – playing with her and giving lots of cuddles and love.
“She’s an inspiration, because she’s smiled and giggled throughout, whereas I have cried continuously.
“She’s such a fighter, even when feeling poorly.”
Rachel and Kevin have had to juggle work and family life, including taking care of their four other children, Felicity, two, Liberty, six and twins, Tom and Iz, aged 10.
Currently, they’re using a charity house and family room near GOSH, which allows them to bring their other kids to spend time with Melody.
They’re sharing their story with Cancer Support UK to help raise awareness and as they’re proposing to send 1,200 bears to hospitals and hospices to children battling cancer this Christmas.
Melody has just received her bear, bringing a form of comfort and distraction from her ongoing battle.
Rachel added: “This warmable bear is wonderfully comforting and brings a smile to Melody’s face.
“It’s the perfect size for her and we are so grateful to everyone who donated and ensured Melody received her cute ted.
“It’s been a godsend at this difficult time.”
The symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells.
When it is acute, it is aggressive and progresses very quickly.
Symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) usually develop over several weeks and worsen with time. They include:
- Looking pale or ‘washed out’
- Tiredness or weakness
- Breathlessness
- Frequent infections
- Unusual or frequent bleeding
- Unintentional weight loss
There are around 3,100 new AML cases in the UK every year.
It is slightly more common in men and women, and it affects people aged 85 to 89 more than any other age group.
Around 2,700 people die from the condition annually.
Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK
