'I love you': Heartbreaking final words of boy, nine, who died just five weeks after he was diagnosed with leukemia

 

'I love you': Heartbreaking final words of boy, nine, who died just five weeks after he was diagnosed with leukemia. 

A grieving father whose nine-year-old son died just five weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia has recalled how he whispered 'I love you' hours before he slipped away.

Kaden McKenna began his battle with the devastating blood cancer in November after he became tired and his parents noticed black bruises all over his body. 

Despite his terrifying diagnosis, his parents, Damian McKenna and Janine Bree, said took the illness in his stride even when his hair fell out.

 

Determined to remain positive, he volunteered to shave off his hair to fundraise for his hospital ward and bought Christmas presents for other children who were ill.

But after a five-week battle, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on January 7 in his father's arms, whispering that he loved him. 

The McKenna family, who live in Ipswich, Suffolk, have now vowed to complete the fundraising on behalf of the youngster, who was 'always thinking of others'.

Mr McKenna, 39, has spoken our about the worrying warning signs of the devastating disease to help raise awareness to it.

He said: 'The first time we thought something was up was on a bike ride. Kaden kept stopping saying he was tired and his legs ached. 'So we went home early. While he was in bath we noticed that he had lots of black bruises on his body. He continued: 'At first we thought maybe he had been bullied - what other reason was there? But he was so popular at school and had a lot of friends.

'He assured us he hadn't been bullied so we took him to doctors.'

Kaden was taken straight to Ipswich Hospital in Suffolk, where staff ran blood tests and warned that the nine-year-old may have leukaemia. Kaden was immediately taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Mr McKenna said: 'The paramedic asked if there was anything Kaden wanted to ask.

'Kaden replied, "Will I be back on Thursday for PE at school?".

The family was then dealt a devastating blow when doctors confirmed that Kaden had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Lymphocytes are immature white blood cells that normally develop, repair and reproduce in an orderly way, in order to fight infection.

But in leukaemia, the process gets out of control and the cells continue to divide in the bone marrow, but do not mature. He said he loved me, to which I replied that I loved him more. He said "I love you lots and lots", at which point I had to walk away as I was in bits. That's the last thing I ever heard him say Damian McKenna, Kaden's father .

 

These immature dividing cells fill up the bone marrow and stop it from making healthy blood cells.

As the leukaemia cells fail to mature, they cannot work properly to fight infections.

Kaden was told he would lose his hair as a side effect of treatment, but he suggested that he shave it off to raise some money for the ward.

Mr McKenna said: 'Kaden was always thinking of others before himself, especially his siblings.

'He had a really good outlook on his illness. Obviously he didn't want it but knew he couldn't do anything about it so took everything in his stride.

 

'He didn't moan, get upset or complain once. Most nights he would go around the ward saying goodnight to the nurses.'

Kaden was allowed home for Christmas, and insisted on buying presents for other children in the ward who were not so lucky.

But his health soon deteriorated, and he contracted shingles on New Year's Day.

Mr McKenna said: 'He was on antibiotics and his hair had started to fall out, so we decided to shave it off.

 

'Two days later Kaden became really poorly and was having trouble breathing, which made it hard to hear him when he spoke.'

Mr McKenna said the moment when his son whispered his last few words was heartbreaking. 

He said: 'Kaden mumbled a few things. I took the mask off his face and asked him what he said.

'He said he loved me, to which I replied that I loved him more. 

'He said "I love you lots and lots", at which point I had to walk away as I was in bits. That's the last thing I ever heard him say.'

Kaden passed away at hospital in the early hours of January 7.

 

Mr McKenna described the family's heartbreak after losing 'a gorgeous, handsome son'.

Everyone is devastated and in shock. You couldn't have asked for a more caring and thoughtful son, cousin, friend, nephew, grandson or big brother

Damian McKenna, Kaden's father .He said: 'Everyone is devastated and in shock. You couldn't have asked for a more caring and thoughtful son, cousin, friend, nephew, grandson or big brother.

'Our oldest daughter Leray is disabled and he enjoyed pushing her in her wheelchair. He would clean her face and help her on the stairs. 'He adored his young sister Taylyn and always looked forward to holding her or playing on floor with her.' Kaden and his brother Shay were especially close. In fact, Kaden's time in hospital was the longest they have ever been apart.  

 

Mr McKenna continued: 'I've lost a best friend and I can't see how our lives will carry on without him. 'There is not one person who could say a bad word about Kaden, which makes me realize how unfair this world can be.'

The family have vowed to continue fundraising, and their online donations page has already raised more than £1,800 of its £2,000 target.

(RIP KADEN YOU'RE IN HEAVEN WHERE YOU BELONG)

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