Baby’s ‘ordinary cold’ turns out to be rare blood cancer

By Filipa Gaspar

A family was devastated after a baby's "ordinary cold" turned out to be a rare blood cancer.

Four-month-old Melody developed what seemed like a cold in April.

But when her breathing became labored and she struggled to feed, her parents, Rachel-Elizabeth Hewitt and Kevin Aggett, rushed her to the hospital.

Within hours, doctors revealed that Melody had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) - a rare and fast-developing blood cancer.

She was immediately transferred to paediatric intensive care in Southampton, 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 receiving treatment.

Despite undergoing intense and often distressing treatment, Melody has continued to smile and giggle.

Rachel from Poole, Dorset, 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.”

When 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, Rachel raced Melody to their local hospital in Poole, Dorset, to get her checked over.

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."

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Within minutes of the GAS result, more blood tests were taken and just one hour later, doctors delivered the devastating news that Melody had leukaemia.

Melody was given a platelet transfusion before being transferred to a Paediatric Intensive Care unit in Southampton.

There she spent 30 days in intensive care, involving two weeks on a ventilator and two rounds of chemotherapy.

Further tests revealed that Melody had a high-risk form of leukaemia – AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) an extremely rare type of fast-developing blood cancer, which affects around 100 children and young adults diagnosed each year in the UK.

Melody urgently needed a bone marrow transplant and in August, she was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she received a bone marrow procedure.

Despite the intensity of Melody’s different treatments, Rachel has managed to breastfeed her daughter throughout, providing a comforting and reassuring presence.

She added: "We do as much as possible with Melody – playing with her and giving lots of cuddles and love.

"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.”

But among the intensive treatment, a special teddy is helping to comfort the 11-month old baby.

Cuddles, a special Warmies heatable teddy bear - provided through Cancer Support UK’s Cuddles for Christmas appeal.

“This warmable bear is wonderfully comforting and brings a smile to Melody’s face," says Rachel.

"It’s the perfect size for her and we are so grateful to everyone who donated and ensured Melody received her cute ted.

"It’s been a godsend at this difficult time.”

The soft toy has offered Melody much-needed reassurance during long hospital stays, and her parents say it has helped lift her spirits.

Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK, said: “These bears are so much more than soft toys - they’re special lavender-scented sensory teds that can be gently warmed in a microwave.

"Their comforting weight and soothing warmth provide a sense of calm and reassurance for children facing the challenges of cancer treatment.

“For a child spending Christmas in hospital, treatment can be a frightening and isolating experience. A warm cuddle from one of our bears can help ease stress and anxiety, offering a moment of comfort and care when it’s needed most.

“This year, we’re aiming to send 1,200 Cuddles bears to children’s cancer wards across the UK.

"It’s an ambitious appeal, but with the public’s support, we can make sure that every child facing cancer this Christmas receives a bear and knows that someone is thinking of them.”