Brave Joshua Joel Oakhill’s health has taken a bad turn, and family are having to bring Christmas forward so he can experience the joys of unwrapping presents and a visit from Santa one last time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The five-year-old has been battling cancer since he was three. He has been ticking off his bucket list of wishes with the help of friends, family and the community.
However, doctors have now said, sadly, he has limited time remaining.
It was a shock for Ms White to hear from doctors how rapidly Joshua’s health has diminished, he has been suffering in pain as tumours have appeared in his liver, armpit, lung and lower backbone.
“He is not feeling well at all, last Monday we sat with doctors and he just screamed. From Friday to Monday he was in a lot of pain.”
Joshua has been prescribed liquid morphine to help with pain associated with the aggressive tumours.
“Doctors have said if he is still here by Christmas he is not going to be up and awake, he will be in bed,” Ms White said.
“With everything going the way that is, there is a possibility he might not even be good by the 30th of this month.”
Earlier this week, Ms White made a trip to Bega to purchase Joshua’s Christmas presents she had on lay-by. She was humbled by the Australian Terminal Cancer Foundation, which had paid the outstanding amount.
“It was such a nice feeling knowing I was able to get him some presents, with Joshua sleeping all day every day, I just hope he will be okay to open them,” she said.
It has been a tough two years for Ms White, also caring for her two younger daughters while Joshua has gone through copious amounts of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Sadly, Joshua hasn’t been able to handle the energy of his two sisters Torii-lee and Maleeya, who always want to play.
“It is hard, I feel like I don’t spend enough time with them. When I do spend time with them, I constantly think about Joshie.”
Ms White and her family created a Facebook page for Joshua, posting updates of his health and sharing heartwarming photos and videos of support from family and the community throughout his journey fighting cancer.
“It has been hard being so public about it all, but at the same time it is raising awareness,” Ms White said.
It’s every mother’s mission to help fix their child’s illness. In Joshua’s case, his rare form of soft tissue cancer – rhabdomyosarcoma has no known cure.
“Joshie’s story could eventually go big enough so that they do further research and try to find a cure to maybe one day save another little boy or girl with the same type of cancer.”
With valuable moments left of his life, Ms White said he will pass away in the comfort of his own home surrounded by family and friends.
Funeral arrangements are being organised, Ms White said the community will be invited to attend as there has been so much support on Joshua’s behalf.
If you would like to purchase a special #doitforjoshie t-shirt contact Brooke on 0432427411.
READ MORE: