15,000 People Could Not Save Melissa's Life, So She Did It Herself
Sun Herald
Sunday February 3, 2002
THIS is the girl doctors said would be dead by Christmas 2000.
Melissa Olivos, now six, has defied the odds to battle her leukemia into remission. And last week she started Year 1 at school.
``I was in tears at the end of kindergarten because it was such an achievement," said Melissa's mother, Carina.
When The Sun-Herald revealed Melissa's desperate need to find a bone marrow donor more than 15,000 readers called the Australian Red Cross Blood Service in 24 hours.
But no donor was found and Melissa's liver and stomach collapsed due to the chemotherapy.
``Doctors gave her a last bone marrow test and said if she was not in remission she would go into palliative care she would die," said Mrs Olivos, 31, at the family home at Prestons, near Liverpool. ``But she was in remission. It was amazing."
Doctors at the Children's Hospital at Westmead moved quickly. They took Melissa's own bone marrow before putting her into isolation and giving her massive doses of chemotherapy to destroy her immune system. When she was at her lowest ebb she was given back her bone marrow.
``Doctors described it as like taking oil from a car engine, cleaning and servicing the engine then putting the dirty oil back," Mrs Olivos said.
It worked. Melissa's hair grew back, her energy levels returned to normal and she did not bruise or fall ill so easily.
Melissa said: ``I am glad I got my hair back but I am even more glad that I can go to school again."
Mrs Olivos said: ``Her doctor said she survived because she just wants to keep going. She has never given in, even at her lowest time. They told us to cherish every day with her.
``She can still relapse and we still need a bone marrow donor. If I start seeing bruises or nosebleeds or she is lethargic, I know it's back. If I think about it happening, I am a mess."
Mrs Olivos has not returned to work since Melissa's recovery. ``So many people have their priorities wrong. Money, clothes, cars, it doesn't matter to us at the moment," she said.
``A day at the beach with Melissa is such a treat. To see her on a boogie board is just awesome."
She has also begun giving talks and helping families whose children have been diagnosed with leukemia.
``I want to give something back after so many people helped us," she said.
* People wishing to donate blood and go on the Bone Marrow Register should call the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 131 495.
© 2002 Sun Herald
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