A Family’s Deep Desire for a Happy Christmas
The heart of the Hadley family is filled with hope and determination as they face another challenging chapter in their four-year-old granddaughter Lola’s battle against cancer. Just weeks ago, the family was celebrating a major breakthrough in her leukaemia treatment, but now, their focus has shifted to ensuring that Lola can be home for Christmas after experiencing complications from chemotherapy.
Lola, who had previously shown signs of recovery, recently faced a setback when she was diagnosed with veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a serious liver condition that can occur after high-dose chemotherapy. The diagnosis has brought the family back to a place of uncertainty, but their love and support for Lola remain unwavering.
The Ultimate Christmas Wish
For Laura Clark, Lola’s mother, the ultimate Christmas wish is simply to have all her children home with her, happy and healthy. “Materialistic things just don’t mean anything any more. Perspective, that’s actually a gift that we’ve received,” she shared. “The ultimate wish is that she’s home with us, and with her sisters, and her grandparents, and to just be surrounded by her family that love her so very much.”
Clark also reflected on a conversation with their oncologist, where she asked about the worst-case scenario. The doctor’s response was sobering: “If we don’t get on top of this, she could die.” This reality has only strengthened the family’s resolve to support Lola through every step of her journey.
A Long and Challenging Road
Ray Hadley, the Sydney radio legend, emphasized that the road to recovery is not a short one. “It is a two-year journey at the very least, and all through that journey there are ups and downs,” he said. “My daughter and son-in-law have to contend with it, and they are doing that absolutely magnificently. As is this little girl, she is just an inspiration to all of us.”
Lola’s journey began almost a year ago when she was rushed to the hospital. At the time, she was three years old and full of energy. Tests revealed she had leukaemia, a condition that affects 280 Australian children each year, according to the Children’s Cancer Institute.
A Journey of Love and Resilience
Despite Hadley’s decades of work helping other sick children, nothing could prepare him for the pain of seeing his own grandchild suffer. The family found some relief in May when Lola showed a positive response to chemotherapy, though doctors warned that the remaining year of treatment would be difficult.
The latest diagnosis came just a week ago after Lola became lethargic, sleeping most of the day and in constant pain. Her mother described the last two-and-a-half weeks as the worst since the diagnosis, a reminder that the battle is far from over.
A Moment of Joy Amidst the Struggle
Despite the challenges, there have been moments of joy. Lola is currently responding well to treatment, and on Monday, she will officially launch John Hunter Children’s Hospital’s festive season by lighting its Christmas tree. She was able to leave her ward and see the tree for the first time on Friday—a moment that brought much joy to the young patient and her family.
A Family’s Strength
Hadley admits he remains deeply worried about Lola’s future. “I feel helpless, it is in the hands of oncologists and specialists,” he said. “You have these highs and lows, and what we’ve learned as a family is don’t get too excited about the highs and don’t get too disappointed about the lows because there is going to be that trough all of the time.”
Lola’s setback comes weeks after Hadley welcomed his eighth grandchild. His youngest daughter Sarah gave birth to her second child, a girl named Indy Ray, last month. The arrival of a new addition to the family brings both joy and a renewed sense of purpose for the Hadleys.
Looking Ahead
As the family prepares for the holiday season, their focus remains on Lola’s health and well-being. They continue to draw strength from each other, knowing that their love and support are essential in helping her navigate this difficult journey. For now, their greatest hope is that Lola can be home for Christmas, surrounded by the people who love her most.
