Ashley Cain breaks down in tears on The Real Full Monty as he recalls counting baby daughter Azaylia’s last breaths in moments before her heartbreaking death
A devastated Ashley Cain sobbed during an appearance on The Real Full Monty on Monday as he recalled counting his baby daughter Asaylia’s final breaths in the moments before she died.
The TV personality, 33, and his ex partner Safiyya Vorajee, 36, tragically lost their little girl when she was eight months old after she battled a rare form of cancer.
Azalyia was diagnosed with with acute myeloid leukemia at eight-weeks-old and had tumours on her lungs, stomach and kidneys.
She was given several rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital but sadly died on April 24, 2021.
Ex on the Beach star Ashley broke down in tears during his television appearance this week, claiming he and Safiyya both sensed baby Azaylia was going to die when they woke up that morning.
A devastated Ashley Cain sobbed during an appearance on The Real Full Monty on Monday as he recalled counting his baby daughter Asaylia’s final breaths in the moments before she died
The TV personality, 33, and his ex partner Safiyya Vorajee, 36, tragically lost their little girl when she was eight months old after she battled a rare form of cancer
They had been told by doctors to take her home and care for her when it was determined there was nothing more they could do for her.
And a heartbroken Ashley said he cradled Azaylia in his arms and counted her final breaths in the moments before she died.
Crying, the former footballer said: ‘They told us at that moment that now it would be best to take Azaylia home.
‘And the one morning, me and Safiyya just had a sense that it was going to be that morning.
‘We wrapped out arms around Azaylia and we counted her last breaths. I could’t see a point and a reason for me to be here on this earth anymore.’
This year’s The Real Full Monty: Jingle Balls stars include Ashley, TV presenter Julia Bradbury, actress Sherrie Hewson, reality star Gemma Collins, Dancing on Ice professional skater Vanessa Bauer, Coronation Street and and Death in Paradise star Victoria Ekanoye, former royal butler Paul Burrell, ex England rugby player Ben Cohen, former TOWIE star Pete Wicks and actor Nick Collier, better known as Ella Vaday from RuPauls Drag Race UK.
Presenting duo Ashley Banjo and Coleen Nolan put the troupe through their paces as they prepare to perform a teasing routine before stripping in front of a large audience to raise awareness of life-saving cancer checks.
Ashley announced earlier this month that he was set to become a father again, and he said his late daughter Azaylia was the first person he told.
Azalyia was diagnosed with with acute myeloid leukemia at eight-weeks-old and had tumours on her lungs, stomach and kidneys (pictured with Azalyia’s mother Safiyya Vorajee)
He went to his Azaylia’s grave to give her the news, insisting he needed to tell her so he could feel good about his new baby.
Ashley candidly told The Sun: ‘After going to her resting place and speaking to her about it, I just had a feeling in my heart and in my soul that she was happy for me.
‘She was happy that she had a little brother and it is now just someone else for her to watch over and protect in this world.’
Ashley had been preparing for the Yukon 1000, the world’s toughest survival endurance race from Canada, through the Arctic circle, to Alaska, when he received a call in July from a friend who he was dating at the time revealing she was pregnant.
While Ashley hasn’t disclosed the identity of the baby’s mother, he said they have been friends since they were 18 and have met up on and off over the years.
Opening up about how he felt after he received the news he confessed he found it difficult to process, but believes every child is a blessing.
Of finding out that he is expecting a boy, he said: ‘In the back of my head I didn’t really know how to deal or cope with it if it was a little girl. It could have been fine but it could have been heartbreaking all over again and I wasn’t sure.’
It comes after Ashley announced he is to become a father again, with the star saying he went to his daughter’s grave to give her the news
Ashley said that Azalyia would have loved a a little brother and he is looking forward to becoming a father again.
But Ashley’s strength was tested again when the couple discovered at the 20-week scan that their baby has a potential heart defect.
He explained that the doctors couldn’t find the connection between one of the valves and the heart which naturally scared the star.
Although he is worried over his son’s health after his tough journey with Azaylia, he said he will go for a scan as soon as he is born to double check his health.
A timeline of Azaylia’s six-month leukaemia battle
October 2020: Ashley emotionally revealed his daughter had been diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive’ form of leukaemia, which he described as an ‘uphill battle’.
Heartbreaking: Ashley emotionally revealed his daughter had been diagnosed with a ‘rare and aggressive’ form of leukaemia in October
Azaylia was turned away by doctors three times and prescribed laxatives and a nasal spray when her breathing was impeded, shortly before her diagnosis.
By the end of the month, the brave child faced her second surgery and 16th chemotherapy-related treatment in less than two weeks.
November 2020: Azaylia’s hair started to fall out just weeks after she was diagnosed.
Doctors informed Ashley and his family that the tot needed a bone marrow transplant and blood donation.
Due to her Caribbean, Burmese, Indian and English background, the footballer said it was very difficult to find a match for a transplant.
Azaylia was brought home for a few days before her second round of chemotherapy.
December 2020: 80,000 people became stem cell donors 48 hours after Ashley appealed for the public’s help.
So sad: Azaylia’s hair started to fall out just weeks after she was diagnosed in November
January 2021: The TV star confirmed a stem cell donor had been found for his baby daughter Azaylia.
She received her stem cell transplant but her cancer sadly returned following a third round of chemotherapy.
February 2021: Azaylia responded well to her stem cell treatment and doctors were impressed with ‘how strong she was’.
She underwent further surgery to discover whether her leukaemia had gone. Later in the month, doctors revealed her cancer had returned.
March 2021: They were told there were ‘very few options’ to help the baby’s condition before she had another bone marrow test. She relapsed by the end of the month and underwent her fourth round of chemotherapy.
Ashley surpassed his target goal of £1million after he set up a GoFundMe to pay for life-saving treatment for his daughter Azaylia.
Heartbreaking: Healthcare professionals revealed Azaylia only had a few days to live as they discovered tumours all over her body
The former Ex On The Beach star took to social media to ask fans for help in donating, explaining the treatment his daughter needed is available in Singapore.
Ashley described the treatment, CAR-T therapy, as ‘the only option to save Azaylia’s life’ and said he and partner Safiyya may have to fly out in a matter of weeks, adding it will take a minimum of one year.
Celebrities such as former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand, Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague and PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani all donated.
Despite efforts from around the world, pharmaceutical companies could not release the life-saving drugs needed to beat his daughter Azaylia’s battle.
April 2021: Healthcare professionals revealed Azaylia only had a few days to live as they discovered tumours in her stomach, her spleen, her liver and her kidneys, in addition to tumours in her brain.
Her parents bathed her in the hospital for a final time before they returned home.
They marked her turning eight months old by having moulds made of her feet, and Azaylia was met with support from the London Underground and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
She received life-prolonging transfusion after her condition caused profuse bleeding and public figures joined the nationwide clap held in her honour.
Azaylia was nominated for a Pride of Britain award and had a plane draw a heart in the sky for her.
The tot was put on oxygen to aid her sleep, and struggled to open her eyes due to swelling.
Scam artists set up fake Facebook pages in her name, with Ashley admitting: ‘We feel really sad it has come to this’.
Azaylia returned to hospital for another platelet transfusion a few days before she died.
The influencer’s ‘fragile’ daughter stopped breathing and suffered seizures before Ashley confirmed her death.
What are the symptoms of leukaemia in children?
Fatigue and pale skin – this is because leukaemia can cause anaemia which makes a child feel weak, tired and light-headed.
Infections and fever – children with leukaemia lack normal white blood cells which would normally help fight infection.
Rash – children may have small, dark spots that look like common rashes if the leukemia cells spread to the skin
Easy bruising or bleeding – this includes frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums and bleeding a lot from small cuts.
Bone or joint pain – this is caused by a build up of leukaemia cells near the surface of the bone or inside the joint.
Swelling of the abdomen – leukaemia cells may collect in the liver and spleen causing them to enlarge.
Loss of appetite and weight loss – if the spleen and liver swell, they can press against the stomach causing loss of appetite.
Swollen lymph nodes – some leukaemias spread to the lymph nodes causing them to swell.
Source: American Cancer Society
Source: Read Full Article