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Alyssasmps1journey, Durban (2026)

16/03/2026

16 March, 2026: DAY 0!!!
GROW CELLS, GROW!!! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹
Today our brave girl officially received her new magical cells and it took just 20 minutes for them to make their grand entrance but those 20 minutes held every wish we’ve ever made. 🌈🙏🏼💜

Now we start the 100 day countdown, the season of waiting and watching as these new cells find their home. Over the next 10-14 days they’ll start producing new blood cells which is the engraftment stage. It’s a really tough time and Ally will feel pretty awful until her counts rise, so please keep those prayers and good vibes coming.

Also… the sweetcorn smell has made its grand entrance too 🤣🌽 If you’ve ever wondered what a life-saving treatment smells like, apparently it’s corn!! It’s from the preservative used for the stem cells and honestly, we’ll take all the corn-scented miracles we can get!! 😜

To every single person praying, texting, messaging, commenting, sharing and wearing purple: we feel you. 💜 Your love surrounds us in ways words can’t. Even if I haven’t responded, please know your support is carrying us. 🫶🏻

Please keep those prayers going.. for gentle days ahead, for minimal side effects, for 100% engraftment and for the incredible team of doctors and nurses guiding us through this journey. 🙏🏼💜

We love you all ###

15/03/2026

Day -1: Ally has been put on more antibiotics for her ERT “fever”. It’s really upset me, mostly because of the upset tummy and the nappy rash that always follows, on top of the chemo effects still ahead. 💔 She’s only just recovered from the ATG antibiotics that were given last week 😭

But today is also a REST DAY, which means snacks, playtime and Ally being unbearably cute ✨
smallest and CUTEST fan 😍😍😍

Tomorrow is the big day, TRANSPLANT DAY! 🦋🌈💜

I’m feeling all the emotions, but mostly hopeful and so ready. 💪🏼 Don’t forget to wear purple to send ALL the love, strength and good energy our way. ###

13/03/2026

Day -3 💜

If you’re happy and you know it… clap your hands! 👏🏼
Because our girl is this close to the finish line of all her dreadful immunosuppressants! Today is Ally’s last day of chemo and tonight at midnight will be her last night chemo. 👏🏼😍🙏🏼

She is doing so, so well. Truly the strongest little warrior princess. She keeps us on our toes with her cheekiness and absolutely adores anyone who comes to say hello (as long as they’re not trying to take her BP or changing her Hickman line dressing). She blows them dozens of kisses when they leave. ❤️‍🩹

Tomorrow she’ll have her ERT and we’re praying for the smoothest day possible with NO fevers and no reactions because this poor girl needs a break from antibiotics. 🤞🏻

Sunday will be a much needed rest day…
because MONDAY is coming…

🌈🤩🦋✨ TRANSPLANT DAY ✨🦋🤩🌈
The day she receives her magical donor cells.
The beginning of a brand new chapter where her little body can rebuild, renew and grow stronger than ever.

We’ve been “warned” that the first couple of weeks after transplant will likely be the hardest. Her neutrophils will drop to zero, exactly what we want because it’s showing her old marrow is gone and her donor’s cells are ready to grow. But it also means she’ll feel pretty awful and this is when the tougher chemo side effects often appear: no immunity, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, poor appetite, mouth sores (mucositis), skin sensitivity, hair loss 💔💔💔 ..

Please keep our sweet girl in your prayers:
💜 That her donor cells engraft gently
💜 That her body accepts them fully and peacefully
💜 That side effects remain as mild as possible
💜 That infections stay far, far away
💜 And that her incredible medical team continues guiding her safely every step of the way

If you’d like to show Ally some love, please wear PURPLE on Monday to stand with our bravest girl. 💜

Thank you for every message, prayer and bit of love you’ve sent our way. We feel it all and it truly carries us. ###

10/03/2026

Day -6:

Today is a big day for Ally as she receives ATG along with two different types of chemo. She’s been much quieter than her usual busy, bright self and it’s so heartbreaking to see her feeling so tired/weak. 🥹 The doctor explained this morning that her counts are dropping quickly (exactly what they expect at this stage) which is why she’s feeling so weak right now.

Her potassium levels were a little low, so she’s staying on fluids to help keep everything balanced. Every step, even the tough ones, brings us closer to transplant day… now less than a week away. 💜

We are so incredibly proud of our little warrior. Her strength, courage and spirit continue to amaze us every single day. We cannot wait for these hard days to be behind us and for healing to begin. 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Please keep praying for comfort, strength and healing for her and for the side effects to be as minimal as possible.

08/03/2026

Day -8:

ATG is no joke. We’ve had the most horrific day. 40°C fever, high blood pressure, a pulse of 200, vomiting and she hasn’t eaten or drank much. Not much sleep either because she’s been so uncomfortable, she’s pretty much cried all day. 💔

My heart hurts so much seeing her like this. It’s so hard not to feel guilty, like we’re taking our happy, smiling girl and making her so sick. At one point today I honestly just wanted to turn the machine off and call it quits because it’s heartbreaking watching her struggle. But I know that every hard day is one step closer to our Ally bug getting the enzyme her little body desperately needs. 🌈❤️‍🩹

Please keep Ally in your thoughts and prayers that the next few weeks are as gentle on her little body as possible and that she handles the ATG and chemo better over the coming days. 🙏🏼❤️‍🩹💜

Although it’s been such a tough day, I’m incredibly grateful for the kindness and love around us. The doctors and nurses have been absolutely amazing! Giving Ally cuddles when she needs them most, dancing and singing to squeeze some smiles out and keeping me going with chats, food and what feels like a million cups of tea. We’re so thankful for the care, support and prayers surrounding us.

Can’t wait for these hard days to be over!!

07/03/2026

Day 1 (-10 in the transplant journey)
(Counting down to transplant day which is Day 0)

Ally had a good day yesterday. She started the day with a little “music lesson” in her room which she absolutely loved! 🎶
She then had Rituximab through IV, which helps calm the immune system so the new donor cells can engraft more easily. Her temperature did rise to 37.9 at one point and this mama’s anxiety immediately went through the roof, but thankfully it came back down again and we were able to avoid antibiotics - yay! She does have a nappy rash and an upset tummy though, probably from all the meds 💔

Sleep is definitely hard to come by at the moment, but the good news is Ally didn’t have any side effects overnight and her blood results are looking good.

Day -9: Tonight Ally will start steroids to help prepare her little body for ATG (another immunosuppressant medication). She’ll receive this treatment over the next four days through an IV infusion that lasts around six hours each time. It can cause side effects and make them feel pretty rubbish, so if she reacts they’ll slow the rate down, which means it will take longer. On day 3 of the immunosuppressants she will also start her first dose of chemo (Tuesday).

I have to admit I struggle to take in all the information from the doctors as soon as they start explaining what will happen, the tears usually start flowing 🫣 (it’s so unfair that she has to go through this and I just feel so guilty that she hasn’t a clue what’s ahead 🥹💔) But I truly trust that they have the knowledge, experience and skill to get Ally safely through this. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼

The nurses, staff and doctors here have been incredibly kind and caring towards us. Thankfully Ally is loving all the attention… and she loves them too. ❤️‍🩹

I see, read and appreciate every single message we receive. For now I’ll continue to post updates here. I’m not able to reply to everyone individually as it can get quite overwhelming with questions, but please just know that we are okay and so grateful for all the love and support.

Please continue to keep Ally in your prayers, as well as her doctors and nurses. ❤️‍🩹💜❤️‍🩹💜❤️‍🩹💜

04/03/2026

Tomorrow we get admitted… and I’m feeling every emotion possible. This season has stretched our hearts in ways we never imagined. To make things even harder, Trysten’s flight was cancelled, so he isn’t with us and we’re not sure when he’ll be able to come but we are missing him SO much! 🥹💔

Tonight I’ll be washing Ally’s hair for the last time in a while, as we know she’ll lose her beautiful hair during the intense chemo she needs. 💔💔

Ally’s Hickman line has been bothering her (see photos of the concentration face trying to get to it 🫣😅). We were told it could be itchy while it’s healing or just uncomfortable and something she needs to get used to 🥹. With the two lines hanging, she can grab them easily, so we’re layering her clothes to keep it safe. Bath time has become stressful too since we can’t get the line wet. But through the frustration, we’re so grateful she has it as it means daily bloods and meds can be done without repeated pokes, YAY! 👏

Nothing can truly prepare you for what we’re about to face. The doctors keep reminding us that we’ve made the best decision for our beautiful girl even though this road is hard, it will all be worth it. 💪❤️‍🩹

We’ve also started introducing screen time to help keep her entertained while she’s stuck in bed for weeks. If you know Ally… sitting still is NOT her thing 😂🐒 So this will be a whole new experience.

As we prepare for transplant day on 16 MARCH, we are asking for your prayers:
🙏 Pray that Ally’s body tolerates the chemo and medications.
🙏 Pray for complete healing and 100% donor cell engraftment.
🙏 Pray for wisdom and skill for her doctors and nurses.
🙏 Pray for strength and peace for our family.

A few people have asked if we’re still needing support for Ally’s treatment and our time in hospital and the honest answer is yes, if you’re able to help. 🙏🏼 I don’t receive meals here and paying for washing and daily essentials adds up quickly.

We’re so grateful for all the love and support. 💜 https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/our-only-hope-lies-across-the-ocean

Thank you for keeping our sunshine girl in your thoughts and prayers. 💜❤️‍🩹
I’ll try to update as much as possible.

We miss you all and our “normal” life so much.. 🇿🇦☀️
Lots of love from us ###

24/02/2026

We were admitted last night to prepare for surgery this morning, and as usual, Ally was full of beans, so happy and playful, right up until they needed to take bloods (she doesn’t have her port anymore, so it had to be through her veins 🥲). After theatre last week, she vomited and has had diarrhea, so she needed to be on fluids overnight, but we’re really hoping it’s just from the two strong antibiotics she was put on rather than a bug. 🤞

Her Hickman line is now in, and although everything went well, it never gets easier handing your baby over to theatre. If anything, it gets harder. I would take her place a thousand times over if I could. I wish she didn’t have to go through any of this. 💔

She woke up very sore and upset this time 🥹❤️‍🩹. It took a while for her to settle, and with all the crying her oxygen dropped. She’s spent most of the day crying and sleeping, completely exhausted and sore. They’re keeping us overnight, and if she’s feeling better tomorrow, we’ll try to get her ERT done since she’s missed a few 🥹.

As we prepare for the big, tough weeks ahead with chemo and transplant, please keep Ally in your thoughts and prayers. All the waiting around has been awful, and at this point I just want to start so we can get through it and put all of this behind us. We’re scared and nervous, but she’s in good hands and she’s such a warrior. 🥹❤️‍🩹✨

Thank you all for the love, prayers, and support. It means more than you know. 🫶🏻 ###

17/02/2026

** Ally gets her port removed tomorrow **
Ally’s blood culture that was taken before her ERT on Thursday came back showing an infection. Because bacteria can stick to the plastic of her port, the safest thing to do is to have it removed so the infection can clear properly.

We were hoping the port removal and Hickman line placement could happen in the same procedure, but because of the infection, that now isn’t possible. 🥲 If left untreated, this kind of infection could become serious and lead to sepsis, so we’re very grateful the doctors picked it even though it’s really stressful knowing she’ll be put to sleep for two procedures in one week. 🥺❤️‍🩹

18 Feb: port removed
24 Feb: hickman line inserted

You honestly wouldn’t say Ally has any infection at all, she’s her usual happy, wild, loving little self! Even while she’s teething and in a full sleep regression 🤣🫣 she just gets on with everything like the little warrior she is.
Strongest and bravest girl I’ve ever met. 💜

13/02/2026

Update 💜

Yesterday we went in for our first ERT in the UK, and it’s ended with us being admitted into hospital 🥹 Ally spiked what seemed to be her usual ERT fever however she did require a few minutes of oxygen this time round for support 🫣 Because she has a port, UK protocol means any fever requires admission and IV antibiotics to rule out infection.

They had trouble accessing her port during the night so at 01:30 this morning we were sent for an X-ray to check placement. Ally sat like a champ and even smiled for her “photo” 😆 Thankfully, no issues with placement so they’ve given medication to unclog the line which seems to of worked wonders! It’s been a bit chaotic as we definitely weren’t prepared for a hospital stay but we’re rolling with the punches & so damn grateful for our one in a million, Chanty!!! 💜 The nurses have been so accommodating and caring which makes it easier 🥰

We honestly thought we’d be discharged this morning since we’re so used to these fevers… but she spiked a temperature again this morning (38°C), and her blood results are suggesting there may be an infection, so we’re staying at least another night for observation and to do some more bloods. 😭

We have met with her transplant Doctor, finally! Obviously nothing can prepare you for the journey we about to face but I feel happy and confident with him. The next step is that on the 23 Feb, Ally will be admitted again to have her port removed and a Hickman line placed, which means she’ll be put to sleep…Does this ever get easier?! 🥹❤️‍🩹

From there, the transplant process starts… 🏥

• Admission on 5th March to prepare for transplant
• Chemo starts 6th March for 10 days to completely wipe out her immune system 💔
• Transplant day (new magical enzyme cells!) on 16th March 🌈

Despite all of this, Ally of course is her usual happy, friendly, loving, cheeky, brave self. SO proud to be your mama 🥰😘

Thank you so much for all the love, prayers and messages. We see them all and appreciate every single one. I’m just so sorry if I can’t reply to everyone personally right now ###

09/02/2026

Just a girl on a mission to the local library 😍📚

Sorry we’ve been a little quiet, it’s mostly because there isn’t much to update yet. We’re finally meeting the transplant doctor this week and are hopefully getting a walk around the hospital where we’ll be staying for the next few months. We’re also really hopeful she’ll be able to start ERT while we wait for transplant, which feels like a positive step forward. 🤞🏻

Last week Ally got through a day of prep like a champ.. Metabolic Doctor, full set of bloods, an echo scan, and a visit with the dietitian (because of course we don’t get her formula and nappies here 🙃) but all important steps as we prepare for transplant.

All in all, we’re doing well. A bit tired, definitely cold 🥶🤣 but staying positive and taking each day as it comes.

We’re beyond grateful for our family here in the UK for opening up their home to us, Ally and I sure feel at home with all the extra cuddles, home cooked meals & Chanty’s Uber 😍🚗 and to all of you for the incredible love, support, prayers, and encouragement we’ve been surrounded with.
Feeling very thankful 💜 and missing Dada very, very much! ❤️‍🩹

28/11/2025

She heard the news… and broke into her thank you dance!
R38,000 raised in just two days.
You are all part of her miracle.
Every share. Every prayer. Every donation is helping save our Ally bugs life.
We see your kindness. We feel your love.
💜👶🏻🌈

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/our-only-hope-lies-across-the-ocean

Alyssasmps1journey

16/03/2026

15/03/2026

13/03/2026

10/03/2026

08/03/2026

07/03/2026

04/03/2026

24/02/2026

17/02/2026

13/02/2026

09/02/2026

28/11/2025

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