A COUPLE have told of their heartbreak after their baby daughter died of an aggressive cancer just two days after her first birthday.
Andrew and Catherine Jeans, from Wales, thought little Rose was suffering from a dairy intolerance - but tests revealed she had masses on her brain.
Just a few weeks after she was diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour, a rare form of cancer, the tot tragically died in her mum's arms.
The couple said when Rose was six months old, she had "minor bowel issues" and they were told she had a dairy intolerance.
But months later she was rushed to hospital as she kept "rubbing her forehead and playing with her hair".
Andrew told WalesOnline: "After scans doctors found several masses on her brain.
"It was first thought these masses were benign birthmark-type lesions but over the next few nights she started to deteriorate."
On January 12, 2020, Rose was again dashed to hospital, where she underwent a series of scans and three brain surgeries, and suffered several seizures.
The youngster spent six nights in critical care before doctors gave her parents the devastating diagnosis.
He added: "The large tumour in her spine is what had been causing the bowel problems.
"We were told there was no treatment for her and that she would only be with us for a few weeks."
By February 10 Rose had been transferred to a children's hospice.
Just two days after her first birthday, Rose sadly died.
Catherine said: "The only way I can describe what we went through is like some sort of war battle.
"What that little girl went through in such a short amount of time was awful and she didn't complain – she just got on with it.
"We're just so incredibly proud of her. She was sent to us as a little gift for whatever reason.
"It's so brutal how perfect she was and didn't give anyone signs of what she was hiding."
The couple - also parents to son Oliver - have now praised the hospice, Ty Hafan, for the care little Rose was given.
Catherine added: "Ty Hafan gave us privacy but we could still have family around us.
"Ty Hafan enabled them all to be there for us. It's a home-from-home environment.
"Everyone matters. In hospital it's different – it's noisy, it's chaotic, and very clinical."
