THE shock of having a perfectly healthy four-year-old son diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukaemia is enough to leave any parent with a feeling of helplessness.
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This is what faced Medowie's Dean and Kim (nee Searles) Boote on January 6 this year.
"Liam was a perfectly healthy four-year-old looking forward to starting school this year," Mrs Boote said.
"Then just around Christmas time he complained of a stomach ache and not long after we noticed his stomach had begun to swell."
Within days Liam was at the John Hunter Hospital children's ward undergoing multiple tests.
The shockwaves of the diagnosis is still being felt by the Boote family.
"Liam spent the next three-and-a-half weeks in hospital ... and more recently he started chemotherapy," she said.
"It has been quite a shock but the doctors and nursing staff have been fantastic. I'm sure we would not have been able to cope without their care and understanding.
"I have a far better understanding of the condition now and we are just riding the wave of highs and lows day to day." Doctors say Liam has a more than 80 per cent chance of successful treatment.
Liam's kindergarten was put on hold, younger brother Ayden's preschool was postponed, Kim's ambition to start a professional photography business was abandoned and Dean was forced to take leave.
"Fortunately I have a great boss who has not only given me time off work but has also donated money in support of Liam," said Mr Boote.
The family has been overwhelmed by the support of family and friends, as well as from organisations such as Camp Quality and Red Kite.
School friends Melinda Bertram and Tiffany Crowfoot organised a trivia night which raised more than $5650.
On February 28 Soldiers Point mother of three Rosie Parker will cut her hair at the Soldiers Point Bowling Club with all proceeds going to the Boote family.
A Facebook page has been set up and can be viewed at facebook.com/ForLiamWithLove.
