THE Moss Vale toddler who stole the hearts of Highlanders in April as she fought for life has been discharged from Sydney Children's Hospital, but her battle is far from over.
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Two-year-old Cheyanne Roberts spent months in intensive care with complications from leukaemia, infections and heart conditions and succumbed to septic shock.
Just over a week ago she left the hospital and took up residence at Ronald McDonald House.
Her mother, Rebecca Roberts, has filled their room with family photos and toys to make it like home.
She said Cheyanne was now having daily chemotherapy sessions, after it was put on hold for five months.
"She's got a long battle ahead of her but she is getting stronger every day," Mrs Roberts said.
She said doctors recently discovered severe strictures in Cheyanne's oesophagus, which were related to the heart disease she was born with, and Cheyanne would need a peg line to her stomach.
"She has physio daily to build up her strength and took her first steps with assistance of the trolley last week."
Mrs Roberts said the hospital had been fantastic and music therapy was a welcome distraction for Cheyanne and also helped with medication.
"Music therapy and play therapy lift her spirits," she said.
"She really looks forward to it and then has a bit of a jam session."
Cheyanne's music therapist Verena said Cheyanne was very distressed on her first day in the ward and music therapy was the initial therapeutic intervention that soothed her so she stopped crying.
"I remember her big eyes staring at me as I sang quiet lullabies and nursery rhymes," she said.
"A day or two later, she played handheld percussion instruments and her mother said it was the first time she had seen her smile since she arrived in hospital."
Cheyanne has become popular with nurses and hospital staff.
She recently met Kylie Minogue and found a new 'best friend' in Hi 5 member Tanika Anderson.
"She comes to visit her and spend time with her quite often," Mrs Roberts said.
"All the nurses have taken to her too."
Mrs Roberts is not surprised with the admiration Cheyanne has received.
"She's the most courageous, beautiful person I've ever met," she said.
"Seeing her rebuild her strength is unbelievable."
While Mrs Roberts has been in Sydney with Cheyanne since February, her husband Adam has been caring for their four children in Moss Vale.
"It'll be great for us to get home and hopefully it is on the cards soon," she said.
"We've been talking with the physio and occupational therapists in Bowral.
It's just a matter of co-ordinating everything, we've still got a long way to go."
She couldn't speak highly enough of the Highlands community.
"The support we received after the first article got us through some tough times," she said.
"We couldn't believe the response from the community, it was amazing.
"Thank you everyone for your support, we hope to be home soon and hopefully one day we can give back to the community.
"It's nice to feel like we're not alone."
Follow Cheyanne's journey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/supportcheyanne
People wishing to donate to the Fund for Cheyanne can transfer money by direct credit.
All funds raised will be used to buy fuel, accommodation, and grocery vouchers.
Donate to the Fund for Cheyanne BSB: 012827 Account Number 193035866 Bank: ANZ
