Girl, 2, who caught 'every bug going' diagnosed after mum finds lump
A young girl whose parents worried when she caught “every bug going” was found to have a tumour on her liver.
Danielle Wylie, 38, from York, and her partner James took their daughter Sophia, then aged two, to the doctors when she started getting sick all the time. The mum-of-two also noticed an unusual lump under her ribs.
The youngster was then referred for an ultrasound at Leeds General Infirmary's Oncology department, where doctors said they could see a mass on her liver. An MRI scan in hospital later confirmed their "worst fears” when it showed she had a tumour.
Sophia has now been given the all clear and allowed to start school (Cancer Research UK / SWNS)
Sophia Wylie and her brother Samuel before the diagnosis (Cancer Research UK / SWNS)Danielle told the Liverpool Echo : "From that moment we were thrown right into the deep end of cancer, tests and treatment. It was a really scary time. It was at this point her dad James and I were trying to control our panic and keep things as relaxed as we could for Sophia. Really we were in denial, but our worst fears were confirmed when the MRI scan confirmed there was a tumour and that same day they wanted to take a biopsy and fit a port line into her chest area to enable treatment. She really was incredible throughout it all and still is now. She’s kept us going."
Sophia was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a type of liver cancer, and was placed on a clinical trial for a chemotherapy drug called Cisplatin. However, doctors decided to remove Sophia from the trial because her cancer was too aggressive.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
She instead had an operation to remove the mass, a third of her liver, her gallbladder and part of her small intestine alongside having chemotherapy. Danielle said this was an "extremely difficult time" for Sophia and her family.
She said: "During her recovery her stitches failed so she needed another operation just two weeks later to repair a hernia. It was an extremely difficult time. Sophia hated having a port line in and her movement reduced when she was getting her treatment. She had severe sickness and was receiving lots of anti-sickness medication, fluids and drugs to help counter possible side effects of the chemotherapy.
Sophia was eventually given the all-clear with her diagnosis and has been able to start school for the first time, which dad James, 39, said was a "wonderful experience" and added she "loved her first week" there. Alongside starting school for the first time, the youngster has also been able to have her first ever birthday party and go on a bus for the first time.
Danielle said: "When Sophia was given the all clear we were of course delighted that the treatment was over, but also terrified waiting for the results of her monthly blood test. It took us a long time to process what had happened and for the fear of the cancer returning to reduce. I'm not sure it will ever go away. But this year has been our year to stop simply existing and start living again and return to the world. It has been very emotional seeing her take this big step, but her enthusiasm and excitement has made it a wonderful experience.
“There were so many times when we didn’t think these things were going to be possible. But we have a truly incredible daughter, who is such a strong fighter and is so kind and caring. She doesn't let anything stop her from living life to the full and is a true inspiration to us all."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
