My daughter Keisha has always faced significant medical challenges. At just three years old, she suffered severe complications from chickenpox and, over the years, endured recurring chest and ear infections. In 2017 a lump on her foot was diagnosed as a benign tumour, and by 2021 a discoloured patch on her heel deteriorated into an ulceration.
Keisha Makin.
After countless doctor visits and tests, specialists at the Great North Children’s Hospital at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary finally diagnosed Keisha with an immune system problem in April 2023, indicating she might need a bone marrow transplant. Our first trip to Newcastle, 200 miles from our home in North Wales, came in August 2023 for tests. Keisha’s condition was worse than expected: she had bronchiectasis, which reduced her lung function to just 47%, making the transplant too risky, along with T-cell immunodeficiency and ENT (ear, nose and throat) issues. Intensive treatment was needed to prepare her for a possible transplant.
A lifeline at Crawford House
Crawford House, a ‘Home from Home’ run by a wonderful charity called The Sick Children’s Trust, quickly became a lifeline for our family. Being offered a free place to stay allowed me to remain near Keisha during her treatment, while my husband Ross and Lili, our younger daughter, stayed in North Wales. Lili, who has autism and epilepsy, struggled with the separation and the unfamiliarity of Newcastle. With Keisha’s fragile immune system, it was unsafe for Lili to have close contact with her. Splitting our family was difficult, but it became the best option to provide Keisha with the care she needed while keeping some stability for Lili.
Keisha Makin with sister Lili.
In September, Keisha was re-admitted to hospital in Newcastle, and I stayed with her while Ross and Lili remained at home. Ross and I swapped roles at times, and my dad and best friend visited to support me. By November 2023, we received the news we had been waiting for: a bone marrow donor had been found, and the transplant was scheduled for January. Due to her lung issues, Keisha needed a month of pre-transplant treatment, meaning she would spend Christmas and her 16th birthday in Newcastle.
Keisha was admitted on 11 December, and I was offered a room at Crawford House just before Christmas. Having somewhere to decompress, cook, and connect with other families was a great comfort. Ross and Lili visited between Christmas and New Year, giving us precious family time before Keisha entered isolation for her transplant.
Crawford House became more than a place to stay; it was a sanctuary. During this time, my stepmother passed away, and the house allowed my dad to stay close for support. Once Keisha came out of isolation, she loved escaping to Crawford House, where she could feel like a normal teenager again. Moments like a scavenger hunt organised by the staff brought joy during a difficult time.
Keisha’s Taylor Swift Joy
Keisha at Anfield Stadium.
One of Keisha’s biggest milestones came in June when she was well enough to attend a Taylor Swift concert. She is a huge fan and the tickets had been booked long before we knew she needed a transplant. We weren’t sure she’d make it. Luckily, she came off TPN two weeks before, and her doctors approved weekend leave. It was her first time seeing her dogs in six months, which was incredibly emotional.
However, being home also highlighted her challenges. She has been diagnosed with axonal neuropathy, nerve damage caused by chemotherapy, which has left her with limited function in her lower legs. She’s undergoing ongoing physiotherapy, but it’s unclear how much mobility she’ll regain.
After the concert, it became clear that adjustments were needed for her recovery. Upon returning to Newcastle, plans were made to transfer Keisha to Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for further rehabilitation.
Keisha remained in Newcastle from December to June due to post-transplant complications, with Crawford House supporting us throughout. She was transferred to Alder Hey and finally discharged in August. Now 17, her recovery is ongoing, and we’ll return to Newcastle in February for follow-up care, but things are looking positive.
Crawford House was a lifeline for our family. It kept us together during the most difficult time of our lives, offering comfort, support, and a sense of normality amid the chaos. We will forever be grateful to The Sick Children’s Trust for making this possible.
Laura Makin, Keisha’s mum
Lili and Keisha with dad Ross and mum Laura.