'Stay with me, I whispered': When her daughter was …...Robert Pattinson get close during dimly lit...
Transcript of 'Stay with me, I whispered': When her daughter was …...Robert Pattinson get close during dimly lit...
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 1/30
Home News U.S. Sport TV&Showbiz Australia Femail Health Science Money Video Travel Fashion Finder
Latest headlines World News You mag Event Books Promos Rewards Mail Shop Property Motoring Columnists Discounts Login
shares
2.1k
'Stay with me, I whispered': When her
daughter was born with a rare form of
leukaemia, one mother decided
against treatment. Instead, she did
nothing and took her baby home not
knowing if she would live or die
By PIA DE JONG
PUBLISHED: 00:41, 6 August 2017 | UPDATED: 13:39, 6 August 2017
When her daughter was born with a rare form of leukaemia, writer Pia de Jong
decided against treatment, which could prove fatal to a newborn. Instead, she told
the doctors, ‘We do nothing,’ and – not knowing if her baby would live or die – took
her home
When Charlotte is born the midwife is concerned. She points to a bump on the
baby’s back, a soft rosy hill. She presses it and when she lifts her index �inger, the
spot turns blue. Over the next few days the spots on Charlotte’s pale skin do not
disappear; they multiply around her body. Our doctor does not know what to make
of them so he refers us to the hospital for further examination.
The results of the bone-marrow biopsy are on the table in front of the oncologist.
‘They con�irm what we already suspected,’ he says. ‘Charlotte was born with a rare
but extremely dangerous form of leukaemia. Sadly her prospects are not good.’
688View comments
Site Web Enter your search
LikeDaily Mail
Follow@MailOnline
FollowDaily Mail
+1Daily Mail
DON'T MISS
The fabulous nerve ofthe woman! Forgetbeing embarrassed,Diana would haveLOVED her intimatetapes being broadcastas they show her in agolden light
'We tried hard for along time': Chris Prattand Anna Faris 'legallyseparate' in shock splitafter eight years ofmarriageSeemed rock solid
PICTURE EXCLUSIVE:Love Island's OliviaAttwood puts on aVERY muggy displaywith mystery man... asboyfriend Chris Hughesis nowhere to be seen
'CBB is not anappropriate rehabfacility': Fans expressconcern overrecovering alcoholicSarah Harding... as sheenjoys boozy night
BFFs Katy Perry andRobert Pattinson getclose during dimly litdinner... two weeks afteractor dished he was'kind of engaged' toFKA Twigs
WardrobeConfidential: Fashionblogger and mum of twoErica Davies talks abouther wardrobe staples SPONSORED
Former The Saturdaysstar Mollie King is theFIRST celebritycontestant to beconfirmed for 2017Strictly Come DancingIt's almost time!
Cookie Policy Feedback Monday, Aug 7th 2017 7AM 14°C 10AM 15°C 5Day Forecast
GOODHOUSEKEEPING
£6
COUNTRY LIVING
£6
ESQUIRE
£9.99
WOMEN'S HEALTH
£3
PRIMA
£6
MEN'S HEALTH
£3
‐77% ‐77% ‐54%
‐75% ‐69% ‐75%
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 2/30
Pia de Jong with newborn Charlotte. When Charlotte was born with a rare form of leukaemia,Pia decided against treatment
His voice sounds �lat, rehearsed. He wants to do this properly. He knows I willremember this conversation for the rest of my life. ‘We have to discuss the treatmentplan,’ he continues, ‘choose what is best for Charlotte. The only thing we can offer forleukaemia is chemotherapy. Unfortunately it is very dangerous for children. Fornewborns it is so dangerous that it can cause them to die. And if they survive, theside effects can be severe. They can become blind, infertile...’
The rest of his words I don’t hear because Charlotte is slurping loudly from mybreast. The oncologist looks at her. ‘To be honest, we don’t know what is best forCharlotte. So little is known about this disease. Only a few articles exist to gatherinformation from.’
‘Can I see those articles?’ my husband Robbert asks. ‘I am a physicist – I know how toread scienti�ic papers.’
The doctor gets the articles out of the binder and puts them in front of us. My eyeswander to the �irst sentence. ‘In general, congenital myeloid leukaemia is deadly,’ Iread.
The room starts to move and slowly I leave my chair and become a bird, �loatingabove it. I see Robbert leaning over the articles. Far below I see myself, the motherwho just gave birth, with her limp, pale child in her arms.
The doctor coughs, trying to get my attention. He wants to know what I think.
‘About what?’
‘The treatment,’ he says.
+4
Three's NOT a crowd!Shirtless Cowell isjoined by his VERYbusty girlfriend LaurenSilverman AND hisbikiniclad ex TerriSeymour
'I wet the bed until Iwas 14': Brave KieranHayler admits he wassubjected to vilebullying at school as hetalks nasty trollstargeting Katie Price'sson
'I just want to runaway' : Kylie Jennershares her struggleswith fame duringpremiere of the Life OfKylie... and goes to herfirst therapy session
'It's happening!':Excited Love Islandbeauty Jessica Shearsjets off to Prague for asecond boob job... afterbeing trolled for her'weird' breast implants
Why my kids, 15 and19, still need a nanny,by Fiona Bruce:Newsreader reveals sheuses carer becauseshe's at work so much Dividing opinion
Can you teal the love?Jennifer Lopez stuns inrevealing gown whilebeau Alex Rodriguezrocks a tuxedo atfriend's weddingWhat a gem
From hero tocuckold... Ross wasbetrayed by Demelza.He then sided with hisenemy against thestarving, revolting,peasants in Poldark'shumiliating finale.
'You had to get her atthe right angle because
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 3/30
I put on my sweater and put Charlotte snugly in her sling.
‘What are you doing?’ the doctor asks.
Pia with Charlotte as a toddler. Pia writes: 'Parents always want to do everything for their child,the doctor had said. Not us, I had replied. We do nothing'
‘I’m leaving.’
‘You can’t leave just like that, we are here together to discuss the treatment plan.’
I search for Robbert’s eyes. He will understand.
‘We’re not going to treat her. We’re going home, all three of us.’
‘Are you sure this is what you want? Just waiting, no treatment? People always want
to do everything for their children.’
‘We do nothing,’ I say. ‘That can be a lot, too.’
* * * * *
Robbert leaves to pick up our two boys. I lie on the bed with Charlotte and inhale the
aromas of stale sweat, baby shampoo and disinfectant that we carried back from the
hospital on our clothes. She searches for her favourite place in the crook of my arm.
Together we stare at the ceiling until her eyes fall shut.
My love for her overwhelms me. It is so
big it frightens me. ‘Charlotte,’ I whisper,
‘stay with me.’
I kiss her as gently as I can, again and
again. My tears drip on to her hair, �ine
as cobwebs. From her half-open mouth I
can smell her breath. I savour her
aromas, trying to �ind words for them – sweet, round, warm. I want to remember that
on this very day she smelled sweet, round, warm. I want to bottle it, to keep it with
me. For later.
Sleeping is a waste of my time, of Charlotte’s time. I want my heart to become like a
freshly ploughed �ield where I sow every one of her life’s moments. I will harvest the
experiences later. I want to prepare myself for a life �illed with memories of her.
Parents always want to do everything for their child, the doctor had said. Not us, I
had replied. We do nothing. Why was I so determined just to take her home? Was it
the graph showing the statistics, which so clearly demonstrated that children have
little chance against this disease? Was it hearing about the side effects of
chemotherapy? What all that poison would do to her delicate body? Was it my own
fear of facing this ordeal?
+4
Charlotte makes peoplehold their breath. Shereminds us that those welove can leave us just likethat
“
”
she had a bit of a big
nose': Former royal
press secretary reveals
Diana created THAT
signature look
The world's most
famous engagement
ring, a wedding band
with a secret and the
day Diana cast off her
rings: A royal romance
told in priceless gems
Fit momtobe! Heidi
Montag reveals grueling
workout with personal
trainer at seven months
pregnant
Staying fit during herpregnancy
'If you like him then
why the f*** would we
go on a date?': Chad
Johnson leaves Amelia
Lily in tears on CBB
after confronting her
about Sam Thompson
'I don't know what love
is anymore': Internet
loses it over news
Hollywood golden
couple Chris Pratt and
Anna Faris are
separating
Fabulous at 52!
Ageless Famke Janssen
puts on an incredibly
leggy display in a thigh
grazing miniskirt as she
steps out in New York
'They looked so happy
together': Danny Dyer
and Joanne Mas put on
a united front at
daughter Dani's 21st
birthday bash... amid
reports they have split
Advertisement
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 4/30
The next morning when I am taking Charlotte for a walk, the sky darkens. I duck into
the �irst shop to �ind shelter and notice I’ve landed in a bookshop. As long as I’m here
I might as well start searching for books about grief.
A man with a friendly face walks over to me and asks if he can help. ‘I’m looking for a
book about grief. For my young sons. In case the worst happens.’ He glances at my
hand, shielding Charlotte’s head. He seems to understand. ‘Come with me,’ he says.
We go to the children’s department where we step over a stuffed toy giraffe. ‘Read
this to your sons. It’s a picture book about a rabbit, a duck and a badger who �ind
their friend, a blackbird, dead in the woods. They realise he’ll never �ly again, but
they each share their dearest memories of him. Children always love stories about
animals.’ I start to thank him but he brushes it off. ‘That’s what I am here for.’
When I get home, the boys, their hair stiffened by sand and dried rain, huddle
against me. I love them so much the way they are now. Two carefree boys tumbling
over each other. I cannot bring myself to disturb their happiness. I put the book
away. There is still time.
* * * * *
In my half sleep I hear Robbert scurrying through the house. I listen to the familiar
sounds while Charlotte nestles in my arm. Late in the evening he is always searching
for things to inspire him. He browses through books and magazines.
‘I’m awake,’ I say as he comes into the bedroom. I know he wants to tell me
something.
‘I found something important tonight,’ he whispers. ‘A blog about a child somewhere
in America born with the same disease as Charlotte. And here is the most incredible
thing. He is still alive, at eight years old.’
I let Charlotte slip out of my arms and sit up. My heart is thumping and suddenly I am
excited about an eight-year-old boy far away on another continent. I want to meet
him, look into his eyes. My thoughts scatter in all directions. I try to focus on the
implications of what Robbert is telling me.
‘So he wasn’t treated, and he survived?’
‘Exactly,’ says Robbert. ‘He went into spontaneous remission.’
I feel like crying and screaming at the same time. I am so energised I could go
outside in my pyjamas and run a marathon in my bare feet.
* * * * *
My visits to the hospital are starting to blur. The oncologist examines Charlotte in his
predetermined routine. I watch him as he studies her skin as if he is trying to
decipher a mysterious hieroglyphic.
Making the most ofthose warm summernights! A leggyAlessandra Ambrosiosteps out for dinner inMalibu dressed in a paleblue playsuit
SPOILER ALERT! Howshe trained her dragon!Daenerys Targaryenbrings fire and blood asshe takes on Lannistersin Game Of ThronesThe war is coming
I get a kick out of you!Perrie Edwards can'tcontain her excitementas she cheers on beauAlex OxladeChamberlain at Arsenalmatch
'I love myimperfections!': StaceySolomon uploadshilarious bikinicladvideo championing her'saggy boobies' and'stretch marks'
'There are barriers Ihope to break': Heavilypregnant SerenaWilliams displays herbump in scantilycladshoot... and discussesher child's future
Beaming MeganMcKenna embraces apyjama chic look as shereunites with leggy bestfriend Amber Turner forTOWIE night out inMarbella
SPONSORED
Beauty journalist and YouTubeexpert Nadine Baggott discusseswhat mature skin needs (and how togive it the nourishment it deserves).
Granny's little girl! MiaTindall, three, is star ofthe show alongsidemum Zara, dad Mikeand the Princess Royalat eventing festival Scurrying around
Gorgeous in green!Alexandra Daddarioslides into midriffbaring dress atBridgehampton bashSeriously stunning inemerald
'Please let her be achild!' Katie Price isslammed on InstagramAGAIN after uploading'glammed up' snap ofdaughter Princess, 10,with dramatic makeup
'Oh my god howskinny!': X Factor's
Love the age you are with Clarins SuperRestorative
/0:00 0:00
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 5/30
Pia with Charlotte in 2015. For the �irst year of Charlotte's life Pia was prepared for the worst
‘I must tell you something important,’ I stumble over my words. ‘About a boy inAmerica. His name is Sammy.’
The doctor glances up then bends over Charlotte. ‘He has the same illness but hesurvived. At least he survived until he was eight…there is a blog but we can’t �ind itagain, it’s lost in cyberspace. We need to �ind out more about him.’
The doctor smiles while examining Charlotte’s delicate feet. A boy lost on theinternet does not command his attention. He has eyes only for Charlotte. ‘She does ither way,’ he says when I dress her.
It unsettles us that there is still no change in her health. She is such a fragile baby,tired and listless. Sometimes she seems worse, when the blue tumours on her bodymultiply and I �ind them in new places. How long is this going to take? Theuncertainty frightens me. I am scared that death will be too rough for my butter�lygirl. I am afraid to see her slip away. To be left with her still body, which will no longercling to mine. But mostly I’m afraid of what comes after that, my empty arms.
Before Charlotte I was careless with my time. Now my world has shrivelled to acocoon in which I hide with her. Time has shrunk. I think in minutes, live in details. Icount the beads of sweat on the forehead of my child. I know by heart the number ofT-cells in her blood.
Charlotte makes people hold their breath. She confronts them with impermanence.She reminds us that the people we love can leave us just like that. It is a pain we liketo avoid. A child is supposed to hold the promise of a future, making up for the factthat we do not live for ever.
One morning in the hospital, at the end of Charlotte’s checkup, the oncologist putshis hand on my arm and says, ‘I would like to take a new biopsy, from her foot.’ I’mnot surprised he wants to know more about the stubborn large nodules on her feet.‘We want to understand what’s going on with the DNA. Maybe this new insight canhelp her.’
As we peel away Charlotte’s clothes, he listens to her heart, takes her blood pressureand examines her skin. Then he picks up a cotton ball and disinfects her skin. I holdher close as he takes her foot in his latex glove. Then he drops his hand. ‘I’d rathernot do this…what if I damage something, a tendon, a nerve? I would not forgivemyself if she could not walk because of this.’
Slowly I turn to him. For the �irst time we do not look away but stare into each other’seyes. The man who holds the key to the health of the sweetest and most delicateperson in my life, who can read and explain her blood, now tells us what we darednot imagine: the possibility that Charlotte might one day walk.
+4
Lucy Spraggan shocksfans with her noticeablyslimmer frame afterditching beer andunhealthy food
Pregnant DanielleLloyd shows off herbaby bump as shecuddles up to babyniece... after confessingher fourth pregnancyhas been stressful
'They're f***ing fake!':CBB's Trisha Paytasslams her housematesin epic tantrum abouther hunger... beforechoosing PIZZA overimmunity from eviction
Ant McPartlin's wifeLisa arrives at Heathrowairport ahead of jettingoverseas... as heprepares to 'leave rehabin the next month'
Val Kilmer promptsnew concerns for hishealth as he pulls out ofevents at the lastminute with vagueexcuses months afterfinally admitting he hascancer.
Working the decks!Rumer Willis DJs inChicago during the 2017Lollapalooza MusicFestivalShe was mixing the tunesat the festival
Former TOWIE starsLauren Pope and MarioFalcone look set toRETURN to the ITVBeseries... as they arespotted jetting out toMarbella with castmates
'Hot felon' JeremyMeeks relaxes with acigarette in thesunshine... as he andChloe Green continue to
Advertisement
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 6/30
* * * * *
‘The spot on her back has disappeared,’ says Robbert. We are about to bathe her.
Curious, I trace the tips of my �ingers along her back. The blue place that the
midwife noticed when she was born has vanished.
‘This is really signi�icant,’ Robbert says. ‘It was the �irst and the largest. I do not
understand how she did it, but she has overcome this on her own.’
‘Her skin is cleaner every time,’ says the oncologist. His remarks make me weak with
joy. Healing is still too large a word to grasp, but the future becomes less bleak.
Robbert and I wonder if it might be possible that she will get better soon. And she
does. She looks less pale, is not exhausted all the time. Gone is the girl who seems to
be on the verge of disappearing into her own faraway world. Carefully we make
plans for the summer. Recklessly we measure her, look at her growth curve and
predict her height and weight. What will she become, later when she is all grown up?
We still live in a dense fog but occasionally a light shimmers through.
Charlotte is better every day, livelier. ‘Her skin is clean,’ the oncologist says after her
checkup. He sounds surprised as well as relieved. Charlotte lies on the exam table,
her feet paddling in the air. I have been making a game of it by trying to catch her
toes. ‘The tumours are gone. What we hardly dared hope for has happened. She is in
remission.’
Pia and Charlotte today. She is now 17 years old. Photograph: Annaleen Louwes
Like me, he seems to �ind it hard to believe. ‘For good?’
+4
flaunt their
controversial romance
in Barbados
'Stop giving men
trophies for doing the
bare minimum': Tess
Holliday hits out at man
who went viral with post
about his 'curvy wife'
Like father, like son!
Former Best Ink host
Pete Wentz watches as
son Saint, 2, gets
temporary tattoo
Got a taste for the inkedlife with his dad
No Love (Island) lost
here! Chyna Ellis
brands ex Jonny
Mitchell a 'disgusting'
snake in very public
Twitter spat after his
explosive claims she
cheated
Hailey Baldwin hides
her model figure under
slouchy sweater and
baggy jeans for
religious conference
Laid back look for off dutymodel
She wears it well!
Chrissy Teigen rocks
sexy LBD as she enjoys
date night at the opera
with John Legend in
Italy
Date night LBD onromantic break
Boho bump! Pregnant
Jessica Alba wears a
plunging maxi dress as
she heads out for dinner
in The Hamptons
Star is pregnant with herthird child
'We're too strong':
Love Island winners
Kem Cetinay and Amber
Davies put on a united
front amid claims the
'unfaithful' Essex boy is
set to break her heart
Soaking up the Miami
sun! Eva Longoria
enjoys a relaxing
getaway with her
husband Jose Baston
Was in true holiday modeon Sunday
Advertisement
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 7/30
2.1kshares
Share or comment on this article
‘In my profession this is as close as I can give you to certainty. With adults, if after
�ive years the leukaemia has not returned, we consider them cured. It’s harder to say
with babies.’
He has never used words like remission or certainty. Five years seems like an
unimaginably long time. I do not know if I should be happy, or rather how much
happiness I should allow myself to feel. It seems too good to be true. I start to shake
so strongly that I hold on to a chair. The doctor puts his arm around me. Tears roll
down his cheeks. ‘There were times when I thought she could not handle it, that the
disease would take a wrong turn. I’m so proud of her, she really did it her way.’
I put Charlotte beside me in the car seat and drive away. Everything is different. I
cannot believe that she has healed, that all is well and that one day she will walk on
those delicate feet of hers. I know that I will spend the next few years bending over
her body in search of blue spots, but this is the moment I have been waiting for. I pull
over and while I try to calm down I see the hospital in my rear-view mirror. I take
Charlotte out of the car seat and hold her close to me. She smiles.
‘Charlotte,’ I whisper. I know she
understands what happened. She has
spent a year trying to get better. I rock
her in my arms. A year ago, on a hot day
like this, I gave birth to a daughter. A girl
we gave the most beautiful name in the
world. Today she is born again, this time
in a healthy body.
Charlotte’s blood is still clear. She is now 17 years old.
This is an abridged extract from Saving Charlotte – A Mother and the Power ofIntuition by Pia de Jong, to be published by WW Norton & Co on 21 August, price£12.99. To pre-order a copy for £11.04 until 20 August, visit you-bookshop.co.uk orcall 0844 571 0640; p&p is free on orders over £15
Next
Hosted by MailOnline to better understand our audiences. May run in partnership with our advertisers. All responses are anonymous and noidentifiable information is stored
Step 1/5
Did you watch the Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko boxing match? Select one
Yes$
No$
x
I cannot believe thatCharlotte has healed, thatall is well and that one dayshe will walk on thosedelicate feet
“
”
Megan McKenna isradiant in vibrant greenshirt and geekchicglasses as she returnsto TOWIE filming inMarbella... after jettingto Nashville
Never Say NeverAgain! Daniel Craig'signs up for TWO moreJames Bond movies'...after claiming he'd'rather slit his wrists'than reprise 007 role
Love Island's ChloeCrowhurst cosies up toformer TOWIE starJamie Reed in askintight pink leathermidi dress... after 'split'from Jon Clark
'Splash!': ChristinaMilian shares sizzlingbikini snap of herselfemerging from aswimming poolShe knows how to make
waves
Casey Batchelor putson a VERY bustydisplay as she flauntsher envyinducing figurein a black cutoutswimsuitIntense workouts
There's something inthe water... the castwere all at it like stoats:CHRISTOPHERSTEVENS seespassions high asPoldark series closes
Shirtless Formula Oneace Lewis Hamiltonshows off his ripplingabs in Justin Biebertour shorts as he frolicson the beach withmystery brunette inBarbados
That's a bit cheeky!Supermodel AlessandraAmbrosio shows off herdelightful derriere onthe beach with palsThe 36yearold donned a
revealing pink swimsuit
Wild thing! AshleyGraham reveals hervoluptuous physique inskimpy animal printoutfit for cover of NewYork magazineWild thing!
One proud momma!Madonna shares sweetsnaps of her son Davidand twins Stelle andEstere enjoying sportsHead over heels with her
brood
Good as gold! JamieFoxx makes grandentrance at Nobu Malibuin flashy chromeBugatti... which
OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARYWILL DAZZLE YOU
*Terms and conditions apply
©DISNEY
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 8/30
AdsServer Support ServicesServer hardening, installs, upgrades, backup, migrations, emergency issues and moreBobcares
London Mobile PodiatristPodiatrist/Chiropodist 07438088373. All staff HCPC registered CRB/DBSlondonmobilepodiatrist.com
Calculate my BMICalculate your BMI and Discover our Ideal Body Weight Advice!BmiResult.com
View all
Comments 688Share what you think
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
Click to rate
Kaia, London, United Kingdom, 4 hours ago
Glad you said No to chemo. It's a killer. May your daughter lead a long & productive life. Xx
ReplyNew Comment 11
Click to rate
Allison, Oxford, United Kingdom, 10 hours ago
@Jayley: "To paint doctors as blood thirsty as Charlie's parents have is extremely dangerous forsociety." Except that they didn't, haven't, most likely, probably even, wouldn't. End of.
ReplyNew Comment 30
Click to rate
Upstate, SC, 15 hours ago
While this is a nice story, it isn't the reality for most people. I think it's irresponsible to promote thislike it is the new frontier on cancer treatment. Desperate parents could see this and refuse lifesaving treatment for their children, causing them unknown suffering, because "this woman on theInternet...". This would be the exception, not the rule.
ReplyNew Comment 810
Click to rate
Jayley, Boston, United States, 14 hours ago
I agree in the sense that it's fuel for parents who don't believe in medicine and thinkprayer is the answer, but the writer makes it very clear that her child had a very rare formof leukemia to the point where the doctor admitted he didn't know what the best course ofaction would be because chemo would have caused suffering and possibly death. Ifstories like Charlie's are plastered all over the media then ones like this one should betoo. A big problem nowadays is a lot of people can't think for themselves and blindlyfollow what they read in the media. It's those peoples mindsets that need to change, notthe stories that are posted.
08
Click to rate
Kaia, London, United Kingdom, 4 hours ago
Chemo'therapy'? This is the ONLY treatment offered by our western medicine, thatradio'therapy'. Both toxic. She took her daughter out in the sunshine, as you can see fromphotos. Vitamin D deficiency is responsible for some 90% of cancers, that and sugarconsumption.
10
Click to rate
DottieL, Santa Maria, United States, 16 hours ago
wonderful article, and so happy for this family.
ReplyNew Comment 010
Click to rate
Jayley, Boston, United States, 16 hours ago
The headline of this story made me think it was going to veer off in a completely different direction.I'm glad it didn't. To paint doctors as blood thirsty as Charlie's parents have is extremely dangerousfor society. Parents with sick children often cannot think rationally because their first instinct is tofight for their child's life, even when it has been proven there is no hope of recovery or treatmentmay cause suffering. It is made even worse if the parents have victim complexes. It is refreshing tosee a story where doctors are painted in an honest humanistic way and the Mom decided she didnot want to put her child through painful treatment that could have maimed her. I am very happy atthe outcome for Charlotte! Best of luck to this young lady!
ReplyNew Comment 228
reportedly set himback $2million
Sheer chic! Tara Reidsizzles in seethroughgown at starstuddedpremiere of Sharknado5She found a role she cansink her teeth
'Dream has 6 teeth!'Blac Chyna posts sweetphoto of daughter amidrumors she wants amusic careerBlac Chyna posted a cuteInstagram photo
EXCLUSIVE 'You areholding us hostage!':Jillian Michaels argueswith Italian yacht crewdemanding 'mafia'money after she paidcompany $60k'
Mindy Kaling's familyremains silent about theactress' mysteriouspregnancy amid rumorsthey were hoping for a'traditional marriage andsoninlaw'
Meghan Markle opensup on being 'ethnicallyambiguous' in candidinterview as she enjoysa romantic getaway withHarry in Botswana.
Little Mix's LeighAnnePinnock flaunts hercleavage in a skimpybralet during LA nightout... as she is granteda restraining orderagainst bodybuilder
Louise Redknappchannels androgynouschic as she parties intothe early hours with palDaisy Lowe... as Jamiehopes to 'whisk heraway'
Kylie Minogue cuts acasual figure in a beigeduster jacket and abaseball cap as sheenjoys a lowkey nightout in LondonSolo night out
Lizzie Cundy, 47,leaves little to theimagination as sheshows off her slenderfigure and behind in aVERY skimpy cagedbikini in Mallorca
Zoe Ball and NadiyaHussain insist newshow The Big FamilyCooking Showdown is'different to anythingelse out there' as theybemoan Bake Offcomparisons
He's a true Belieber!Justin Bieber donsfloral shorts as he givesup weekend to attendchurch conferenceHas been focusing on hisspirituality
'My dreams have cometrue!': CBB beauties
Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19
07/08/2017 Pia de Jong on why she refused treatment for ill baby | Daily Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-4736266/A-mother-explains-refused-treatment-ill-baby.html 9/30
Add your comment
View all
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views ofMailOnline.
Click to rate
Allison, Oxford, United Kingdom, 10 hours ago
Except that they didn't, haven't, and, most likely, probably even, wouldn't. End of.
10
Click to rate
Kate908, New Jersey, United States, 17 hours ago
You wrote in the article summary on the home page that this family is from Princeton, NJ, yet theauthor writes that the 8 year old boy in America was in "another continent," so where was thisfamily living throughout all of this? Does anyone know? I'm just curious because it isn't made clear.
ReplyNew Comment 124
Click to rate
rayme, manchester, United Kingdom, 17 hours ago
A truly wonderful story. It shows beyond all doubt that you should never lose hope and that thetreatment can often be responsible for death of a tiny baby. I salute you madam and good luck toboth you and your daughter.
ReplyNew Comment 345
Click to rate
simply irresistible, Amanda, United States, 17 hours ago
Wow dm what a great story. Amazing miracle!
ReplyNew Comment 340
Click to rate
mavbebe, Copenhagen, Denmark, 17 hours ago
Maternal instinct took over. Just the way it does in the animal kingdom. Great story
ReplyNew Comment 166
Click to rate
aSwe, Texas, United States, 17 hours ago
The medicine would have killed her.
ReplyNew Comment 469
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.
Enter your comment
Post comment to your Facebook Timeline What's This?
Submit CommentClear
including MarissaJade sun themselves inTINY bikinis... and PaulDanan can't believe hiseyes
Yazmin Oukhellouexudes confidence in achic LBD for TOWIEfilming in Marbella... asshe steps out for thefirst time since getting anose job
ABSolutely ripped!Bethenny Frankel, 46,flashes her toned midriffin tiny bikini forroadside selfieShe has a body of a
woman half her age
'Looks like he's hidinga frog in his mouth':SpiderMan star TomHolland responds tomeme about his redcarpet facialexpressions
Just like Neverland!Paris Jackson gets intouch with her innerchild at Disneyland...but still makes time fora cigarette breakMagical day
'We miss you!' MileyCyrus writes sweetInstagram note to herbeau Liam Hemsworthwho's away filming asshe snuggles their petpooch
Victoria Beckhamrocks Alist chic as shesports sunglasses forlate family dinner withhusband David and sonBrooklyn
Meow! Kesha rocksrainbow coloredsweater with wild catgraphic as she holdshands with herboyfriend at LAXEclectic outfit
Did an excited child onRed Bull make thisHollywood history?Christopher Stevensreviews last weekend'sTV
The world's friendliestexes? The Expendables'Dolph Lundgren showsoff his muscularphysique as he holidayswith bikiniclad exwifeAnette Qviberg anddaughter Ida in Marbella
What a peach! RachelMcAdams is casual chicas she roams throughfarmer's market pickingout fresh fruitLow profile lifestyle
It's over! Aaron Carter'splits' with girlfriendMadison Parker one dayafter revealing he issexually attracted toboth men and women Share
NEWARTICLES Top
19