When Pene and Kristian noticed unusual bruising on their two-and-a-half-year-old son Hugo’s body, they couldn’t have imagined the journey that lay ahead. What started as a concerned visit to the doctor quickly turned into a life-changing diagnosis: T-Cell Acute Lymphatic Leukaemia.
It was a typical weekend at home in Port Campbell, Vic, when Pene first noticed the bruising on Hugo’s body. Thinking it might be a virus, they carried on with life as normal. But as the days passed, Hugo became increasingly lethargic. By Wednesday, Hugo’s daycare called Pene to come and pick him up. That night, she noticed swollen lymph nodes around his neck.
A visit to the doctor on Friday led to an urgent referral to the emergency department. After a series of tests, at 11:30 PM, the paediatrician delivered the news that would change their lives: Hugo had leukaemia.
The Riedl family was immediately transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. For Pene, those first weeks were a blur of medical procedures, sleepless nights, and overwhelming emotions. Hugo’s condition worsened, leading to a two-week stay in the Intensive Care Unit.
It was during this challenging time that the family first encountered Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy. For Kristian, Hugo’s father, it became a much-needed sanctuary away from the hospital environment.
As Hugo’s condition stabilised and he was moved out of ICU, Ronald McDonald House became the family’s home away from home. Pene recalls wheeling Hugo into the House for the first time, excited about the toys, the outdoor space, and the welcoming atmosphere.
“It was actually really exciting bringing him here,” Pene remembers. “There were the toys, there was an outdoor play area. There was just that big open area in the living space. And we’d already started to build a rapport with staff here.”
For Hugo, who had been confined to a hospital room for weeks, the House offered a new world of experiences. He could interact with other children, play in the open spaces, and begin to regain his strength.
Hugo’s treatment journey has been intense. He’s undergone numerous procedures, including over 20 general anaesthetics for various tests and treatments. The family has had to navigate the complexities of central lines, ports, and the emotional toll of seeing their child go through such invasive procedures.
Two years since the diagnosis, Pene says that through it all, Ronald McDonald House has been a constant source of support. It’s provided not just a place to stay, but a community of families going through similar experiences. Pene fondly remembers making pizzas in the kitchen with other families and the bonds Hugo formed with other children staying at the House.
For the past year and a half, the Riedls have been in a routine of traveling back and forth between their home in Port Campbell, and Melbourne for Hugo’s treatments. Ronald McDonald House has been their base during these stays, providing a sense of normality and comfort during a challenging and transient time.
“It’s kind of reassuring to know that I’ve told you guys here that these are the dates that we’d be looking for accommodation, and they’ve been able to accommodate us every single time, which is great,” Pene shares.
Hugo has just turned 4 and still has about a year and a half of treatment ahead, but the frequency of their visits to Melbourne will decrease. Throughout their journey, Ronald McDonald House has been more than just accommodation – it’s been a crucial part of Hugo’s healing process and the family’s ability to cope with the challenges they face.
For Hugo, the House has become a positive association with his trips to Melbourne. “For him, this is the bonus of coming back to Melbourne for his crappy treatment,” Pene says. “Being able to stay here for him is like, ‘Yes, I’ll do that.'”
The impact of Ronald McDonald House extends beyond just the immediate family. Pene’s parents have become enthusiastic advocates, sharing their grandson’s story and the incredible support provided by the House with everyone they meet.
In a touching full-circle moment, the family discovered that their neighbour back home sponsors a room at Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy. It’s a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the organisation and the community of support it fosters.
As Hugo continues his treatment, Ronald McDonald House remains a crucial part of their journey – a place of comfort, community, and hope in the face of extraordinary challenges.
