Doting Dad unable to hug his daughters after shock leukaemia diagnosis found by chance blood test

A dad and his daughters have been forced into a hug-ban as he plays a waiting game to see if his leukaemia treatment has worked.
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Lee Foster’s sister Donna gifted her stem cells through a blood donation after they were found to be a perfect match, with the countdown now on until a final test reveals whether it has worked to save him.

The 44-year-old driver was told the shock diagnosis in March after being treated for a leg infection, then a blood clot – neither related to the Lymphopenia found through a routine blood test.

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Lee, who lives in Hebburn with partner Kerry Bottrill, 39, and their daughters Katie, six, and Oliva, four, has undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy and will discover whether the transplant has worked 100 days after the August 5 donation, with a booster of more cells ready if he needs it.

Lee Foster and his daughters pictured on holiday.Lee Foster and his daughters pictured on holiday.
Lee Foster and his daughters pictured on holiday.

In the meantime, he is being monitored and is recuperating at home from his treatment and the lasting impact of coronavirus, which he developed during a hospital stay.

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Lee said: “They’ve told me that it was a very bizarre way for them to find the leukaemia.

"Normally people feel really fatigued and tired, but I didn’t and I was still going to the gym four or five days a week, so if I started work at 6am, I’d be up at 3am.

Donna Foster as she was donating blood used to then donate cells to her brother.Donna Foster as she was donating blood used to then donate cells to her brother.
Donna Foster as she was donating blood used to then donate cells to her brother.
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"To be honest, I didn’t know enough about it to get upset about it, but my partner did and I just said to her, ‘It's going to be alright.’

"But it has been hard, really hard, but now I think I’m over the worst of it.

"My daughters have definitely found it hard too and I was in hospital for my six-year-old’s birthday and then I had the transplant on my other daughter’s birthday.

"The nurse said to me, ‘Now you share a birthday with her, because this is the first day of a new life.’

Donna Foster was able to help her big brother Lee after he was found to be a stem cell match.Donna Foster was able to help her big brother Lee after he was found to be a stem cell match.
Donna Foster was able to help her big brother Lee after he was found to be a stem cell match.
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"My immune system is low, so the bairns can’t give me a hug.

"They sit on the other side of the settee and say ‘Daddy hug’ and put our arms around ourselves and then blow a kiss.

"That’s what my partner has drummed into them for the moment, that they have to keep a distance, and they’re due to start at school again, so we have to be careful.”

This weekend, Donna, 41, an energy consultant from Jarrow, and 12 others will join in a three-hour spinathon in aid of the Leukaemia Trust at Energy Fitness in Jarrow.

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She said: "When they said I was a perfect match, it was so good, and of course I wanted to help.

"We were so shocked when we found out he had it.

“But the support we have had has been unreal through the JustGiving and Facebook – I can’t thank people enough.”

Donna will be joined by Lauren Bushell, Jan Hill, Angela Topping, Janette Davidson, Jane Brownlee, Emma Mckenzie, Kimberly Ord, Janice Evans, Shayne Ward, Shaunagh Kelly, Gemma Dodds, Gary Blake and gym manager Andy Evans, with Donna sending her thanks to him for making the event possible.

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