"Hello friends,

I am called Júlia and I am 7 years old. On the 7th of February when I was still only a year old, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia. I have some memories of what happened despite being very young and I have been told the things I don't remember by my parents. Since the first day things did not go very well, and were ever more complicated each day. The chemo did not leave my body free of all the malign cells which meant we could not advance. I was always in isolated wards and constantly suffered from low defences. Throughout the year I was in hospital I suffered with most things: pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, and fungus on the lungs which had to be operated. I cannot remember how many times I had to undergo surgery or be in intensive care. I cannot remember how many litres of blood they gave me, or platelets or antibiotics, etc... and I don't know how many other things. 

 
Júlia, during her time in hospital

It was not all bad. I also had moments of happiness. For example, I celebrated my 2nd birthday in hospital and my whole family came to see me. It was special despite only seeing them through the glass. My mum was always there with me and always had a smile on her face.

 

Júlia, nowadays.

I would like to tell everyone that it does not matter what we have to suffer because the goal justifies the bad times, the discomfort, and everything else. I also want to say thank you to the Vall d'Hebron hospital in Barcelona because there are some wonderful doctors who help us to come out the other side fighting. I want to thank my family, my uncles and aunts, my cousins, and of course my grandparents, who with my parents, were there through it all and did not leave me for one moment.

My motto since 2 years of age has been "Força i endavant" (strength and onwards)

Warmest regards to everyone."

Júlia

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