Ray Hadley’s young granddaughter is back in hospital after she suffered a devastating setback in her cancer battle, the Sydney radio legend and his family have revealed.
Just weeks ago, the family was celebrating four-year-old Lola’s recovery following a major breakthrough in her leukaemia treatment.
Now, their only wish is for Lola to be home in time for Christmas after she recently experienced chemotherapy complications.
Doctors at Newcastle’s John Hunter Children’s Hospital diagnosed Lola with veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a serious liver condition that can occur after high-dose chemotherapy.
Hadley’s daughter Laura Clark said the ‘ultimate Christmas wish’ is to ‘have all my children home with me, happy and healthy’.
‘Materialistic things just don’t mean anything any more. Perspective, that’s actually a gift that we’ve received, and the ultimate wish is that she’s home with us, and with her sisters, and her grandparents, and to just be surrounded by her family that love her so very much,’ Ms Clark told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I said to our oncologist at one point, ‘what is the worst case scenario here’ and he said: ‘If we don’t get on top of this, she could die.’
Former top-rating 2GB host Hadley added: ‘The other thing people don’t understand is that after six months, people ask if she is better now.’
Radio star Ray Hadley with his granddaughter Lola, who has suffered a devastating setback in her cancer battle
Former 2GB morning host Ray Hadley said he feels ‘helpless’ after Lola’s diagnosis
‘It is a two-year journey at the very least, and all through that journey there are ups and downs obviously my daughter and son-in-law have to contend with, and they are doing that absolutely magnificently. As is this little girl, she is just an inspiration to all of us.’
It’s been almost a year since the usually bubbly and energetic Lola, then aged three, was first rushed to hospital.
Tests revealed Lola had leukaemia and would need chemotherapy – an illness 280 Australian children are diagnosed with every year, according to the Children’s Cancer Institute.
Although Hadley has dedicated countless hours to helping other sick children throughout his decades-long career, nothing prepared him for the heartache of seeing his own grandchild ‘stricken’ with the aggressive blood condition.
The family’s spirits were bolstered in May with news that Lola had responded well to chemotherapy but the doctors warned it would be a ‘rugged’ path for the remaining year of treatment.
The latest diagnosis came just a week ago after Lola had been lethargic, sleeping for most of the day and in constant pain.
Her mother described the last two-and-a-half weeks as the worst since Lola’s diagnosis and a stark reminder that you’re never out of the woods.
Little Lola, pictured with grandfather Ray Hadley was diagnosed with leukaemia on January 6
‘I can’t actually articulate the pain and the helplessness that you feel as a parent, not being able to save your child and you can’t do anything but just sit there and hope that the medication works,’ Ms Clark said.
Lola is currently responding well to treatment and on Monday will officially launch John Hunter Children’s Hospital’s festive season by lighting its Christmas tree.
She was able to leave her ward and see the tree for the first time on Friday – a moment that brought much joy for the young patient and her family.
Hadley admits he remains ‘deeply worried’ and helpless about Lola’s future.
‘I feel helpless, it is in the hands of oncologists and specialists,’ Hadley said.
‘You have these highs and lows and what we’ve learnt as a family is don’t get too excited about the highs and don’t get too disappointed about the lows because there is going to be that trough all of the time.’
Lola’s setback comes weeks after Hadley welcomed his eighth grandchild.
His youngest daughter Sarah gave birth to her second child, a girl named Indy Ray, last month.
