Niamh Shackleton
Warning: This article contains discussion of child cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A family were devastated after their baby's 'ordinary cold' turned out to be a rare form of blood cancer.
When four-month-old Melody developed a cold in April 2025, her parents expected that their little girl’s snuffles would be anything out of the ordinary — but when the cold affected Melody’s breathing, alarm bells started to ring.
After 12 hours had passed without a single wet nappy, her parents, Rachel-Elizabeth Hewitt and Kevin Aggett, raced Melody to their local hospital to get her checked over.
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Rachel said: "The first consultant thought it was bronchiolitis, which can cause breathing problems. They wanted to send Melody home. Luckily she was seen by another consultant who fitted Melody with a nasogastric (NG) tube and kept her in overnight.
"The next day, Melody was examined by yet another consultant, who ordered a GAS (blood gas) test."
Within minutes of the GAS result, more blood tests were taken and just one hour later, doctors delivered the devastating news that Melody had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which is a rare and fast-developing form of blood cancer.
She was immediately transferred to paediatric intensive care in Southampton, UK, where she began emergency treatment, including chemotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions.
Later, she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for a bone marrow transplant, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Despite undergoing intense and often distressing treatment, Melody has continued to smile and giggle, and is often comforted by a special Warmies heatable teddy bear that has been provided by Cancer Support UK's Cuddles for Christmas appeal.
Her mom Rachel described the agony that she felt when they received Melody’s diagnosis.
She said: "It didn’t feel real. 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."
Melody went on to spend 30 days in intensive care in Southampton, involving two weeks on a ventilator and two rounds of chemotherapy. She also urgently needed a bone marrow transplant and in August, she received a bone marrow procedure.
With all the hardships she's faced at such a young age in mind, Rachel says that Melody is an 'inspiration'.
The doting mother shared: "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."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.