When you meet 5-year-old Samuel Pace you cannot help loving him. His smile, the expression on his face as he focuses on winning one of his lego play station games, his warm and tender embrace as people visit him in hospital, his strength and his fighting spirit are only some of this young boy's remarkable characteristics. Knowing he's fighting cancer makes him all the more remarkable.
It started with leg pain in September last year. First believed to be growing pain or caused by a virus, it escalated to abnormal pain that no medication would settle. Following medical tests, to the shock of his family and those around him, Sam was diagnosed with Leukaemia. He has had to undergo aggressive chemotherapy daily ever since. Every day, and sometimes twice a day, Sam faces three or four different types of chemotherapy and their inevitable side effects.
He marked his 5th birthday on 27th October last year at Rainbow Ward in Mater Dei Hospital together with other children who, like him, were fighting cancer.
As his family were trying to come to terms with it all, co-operating with the medical experts who had to act fast to ensure the best treatment, Sam soldiered on, adapting to this big change in his life. His young life was put on hold until he became strong enough - as he is today - to get back to enjoying his books and the fresh air he loves so much, and spending quality time with his brother Jake and their parents Roberta and Adrian.
A&H spoke to Sam's mother Roberta about how she copes. During a recent event she organised, a successful squash tournament in aid of Puttinu Cares, Dr Victor Calvagna had only praise for her. Representing Puttinu Cares, he said: "Despite the fact that Roberta is going through an extremely difficult time she still found the strength and time to give something to others. This is indeed remarkable."
Roberta vows to be there for anyone who, like her family, have had to go through such a frightening experience. She says the support she received from those around her, prayer, the excellent medical staff at hospital, Puttinu Cares and other parents of children suffering from this serious condition have helped her and her family through it all.
Tell me about when you received the news regarding Sam's condition?
The shock was indescribable. I was alone at that time because my husband was at work finishing off some things. It was strange when the doctor told me the blood test results. I immediately told him myself 'Leukaemia?' so, subconsciously, I knew and knowing gave me strength.
I had no idea how I was going to tell my husband or my mother and in-laws. My husband, Adrian had had a premonition the night before. When I broke the news to him, he told me about his dream. We had both known that something was very wrong but facing it was a different story altogether.
Nurses and doctors, surgeons and the oncologist had to work fast, so there was no time to express my emotions. At the time I was being told a lot of things, I honestly could not put them together and barely heard what the staff were saying at the time. The shock was huge. I believe that the only way I managed to cope was by letting all my dear friends and family know. I needed them to know because I needed their support.
How did you juggle it all?
The first few days, many close friends came to visit and that really helped me. Since Sam's condition was considered to be quite bad he was operated upon immediately. I remember he was in a lot of pain and despite being put on morphine, it often was not enough for his pain to subside.
My other son Jacob, was just three. He had just started school and I didn't want him to miss out. However, I was concerned about him seeing his brother in such a bad state. He only missed school for a few days, and it was very difficult for me to focus on anything else other than Sam's needs. So, after the initial recovery period, my husband and Jake slept with Sam and me. Together we felt stronger, though I admit we hardly slept with all the buzzing monitors and equipment around.
Did you feel understood by those around you?
In the coming weeks many relatives came to visit and most of them understood but could not feel what I was going through. I met many other relatives of children with cancer and they were the only ones who could really understand me.
What gave you peace?
I asked everyone I knew to pray for us, especially for Sam. I felt their prayers from the start of all this. There was no better feeling then to receive spiritual help and support from their prayers. I felt at peace with everyone as I always have been. The staff were extremely supportive and helpful in every way. If I had to mention one thing that I longed for, it was spiritual comfort at hospital, by a priest for example. But then it was hard to accept that Sam's 5th birthday 'present' had to be a Leukaemia diagnosis.
How would you describe a 'normal' day for you and Sam at the peak of his treatment?
When Sam was going through the toughest time, we had to go to hospital every day. There were times when he received more than one type of chemotherapy on the same day - at times, even three or four types in one day. It was very tough on Sam and tough on me too, especially when he began to get fed up of this routine and used to throw terrible tantrums. This really used to upset me. I cried a lot, but together we survived that too. At that time, this was the normality of the day.
And yet despite it all you took the plunge to organise a squash tournament in aid of Puttinu Cares. As a former National Team squash player you set it all up and the event was a huge success.
Every day, for the past months while Sam was in and out of hospital, I thought about and experienced how helpful and supportive the volunteers and staff at Rainbow Ward (Puttinu) are. They really give themselves to their patients and their patients' families. They prepare lots of activities for the children to distract them momentarily from what they are going through. They try as much as possible to normalise such a terrible situation.
I wanted to thank them for this. Words and gifts were not enough, so I decided to contribute by helping them in the best way I could. I started off by participating in a fund-raising cake sale so, in the middle of all that was happening, I baked a number of cakes for the sale. Following that, I organised a squash tournament at the Marsa Sports Club. The event was a huge success and I am so glad that I managed to do it.
What message would you give to those who are going through a similar situation?
You are not alone. There is always someone there to pray for you and support you, like Puttinu, and I will be there for you too. Do not be afraid to speak about your emotions and to ask for help. Puttinu volunteers are there to help you in every way they possibly can and I will be there too. I would also like to appeal to those who are in a position to offer support and prayer. No matter what, there is always someone there who needs your prayers. In doing so you are helping others and people like myself cope and stay strong.
How has this experience changed your outlook on life?
For as long as I can remember, my father was sick. When he passed away I decided to enjoy my life as much as I could by doing the things I loved. I travelled as much as I could. Both my husband and I enjoyed ourselves travelling around the world for 12 years until we decided to have children and enjoy our lives with them too. My outlook on life will never change and I will continue to enjoy my life with my family as best I can.
How is Sam today? What does he enjoy doing and what is he looking forward to doing most?
Sam is now in remission, which basically means that he is now on treatment which I can administer at home myself. He is doing fairly well. He loves his computer tablet and playing Lego games on his PlayStation. He loves summer school and reading too. He keeps saying that when he grows up like his mum, he would like to become a nurse.