Claudia Chaney used to associate hospitals with a pain so severe, she’d kick and scream in agony – but when the 11-year-old got the chance to visit the set of medical drama Shortland Street recently, the terror she used to experience was replaced by excited nerves. When asked by the Child Cancer Foundation what she’d like to do “one day” when she is no longer sick, Claudia – who was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of three and a half – said she wanted to be a star.
With the assistance of Child Cancer ambassador and Shortland Street actress Amanda Billing, Claudia’s dream became a reality – she landed a small acting role on the hit TV2 show. Claudia, who has undergone more than 1000 procedures to treat her condition, says it was the “best day ever”. “It was so exciting to be able to get behind the camera of Shortland Street, but the best part was working with Amanda,” says softly spoken Claudia.
She hopes this role will be the start of a long acting career. “I want to be famous so I have enough money to open a cattery one day,” she says. “On set, Claudia was as she is in person – sweet, patient and ready,” says Amanda, who plays Shorty’s Dr Sarah Potts. “I don’t believe it’s overstating it to say that she takes people’s breath away when they hear her story. Her resilience inspires me.”
Although Amanda has no personal connection to child cancer, the cause is still close to her heart. She clearly enjoys acting as Claudia’s tour guide on the set as she introduces her castmates, lets her in on a few secrets and brings her into the dressing room she shares with co-star Jacqueline Nairn.
The on-set visit was a moment that Claudia’s mother, Lisa Petersen, thought she’d never see. Claudia has spent most of her life in and out of hospital and after several rounds of failed chemotherapy, she underwent a bone marrow transplant at the age of four.
Although the cancer cells receded, Claudia developed a severe case of graft-versus-host disease, where her body began attacking both the cancer and healthy cells. The condition deteriorated the lining of her stomach, before moving to other parts of her body. It affected her muscles and joints, causing her to lose the ability to walk. It even deteriorated the flesh on her scalp, exposing the bone.
Claudia had to endure many agonising skin grafts. Even the maximum dose of morphine and ketamine weren’t strong enough to numb the excruciating pain that Claudia experienced when her head dressings were changed. “At the start I’d change her dressings when she was awake, but I’d just be sobbing. I had to stop because she was screaming so much,” remembers Lisa.
“We went to Middlemore Hospital and tried bathing her when she was awake. That was so traumatic, we decided to do it in theatre while she was under. “It was awful because as a mother you try to protect your child from everything, but you kind of just have to hand them over [to the doctors and nurses] and say, ‘Do these painful things to my child.'”
After years of watching her daughter suffer, Lisa was told Claudia would probably eventually die from an infection. Lisa decided to stop the skin grafts and focused on making Claudia’s final days comfortable and happy, admitting her into palliative care.
But the positive environment turned out to be the best cure Claudia could hope for. Her wounds healed and Claudia was one of the few patients to be discharged from care. “There’s always a bit of hope in the back of your mind, but I never thought it would happen,” says Lisa.
Claudia, who is currently in recovery, hopes to give back to the Child Cancer Foundation by being the child spokesperson for their One Day campaign, which, as a fundraising initiative, encourages people to give up something important.
“Having cancer was really scary,” says Claudia. “I was young when I went in so I can’t remember a lot, but I remember crying and it really hurting. “The foundation helped me when I was really sick and they have helped lots of other children with cancer, so I want to help raise money for them.”
“I try to stay happy and just get on with it – and this is my chance to give back.” Although she’s been through so much herself, Claudia is keen to take part in the One Day campaign to help other kids, and will give up her computer. It’s a big feat for the youngster, who is an avid blogger on cats – her favourite subject.
Meanwhile, Lisa and Amanda will also give up chocolate together. “[I’m going to give up] coffee, gossip, Facebook and TV – well, I have to go to work, but the screen is staying off at home,” jokes Amanda.
The One Day campaign urges people to sacrifice one thing, or a day of their time, to raise money. For details, visit www.childcancer.org.nz.
