Georgia Hillman and Alex Young's Story
We have recently funded the refurbishment and equipping of areas within the Oncology Ward to provide a playroom, bathroom and extra cubicle area for younger patients at a cost of £28,000. The funds were raised over the past few months from a variety of activities organised by parents of children in the Ward and several very generous supporters.
This work had been ongoing for the past three months as part of a larger project which will see a Teenage Cancer Trust unit also open there in the very near future.
The aim is to ensure that the facilities provided are tailored to the needs of the different ages of children who come to the ward either as in-patients or for Day Care Oncology treatment. ‘We listened to what the children and staff told us about their needs and have provided a lovely bright playroom, with a wet area for painting etc as well as all the usual toys, soothing light bubble tubes and our very special computer internet access, KIDSnet’, said Maureen Harrison, our Chief Executive. ‘None of this work would have been possible without the tremendous support from the public who join us in our aim of making the Sick Kids better for all the children from the East of Scotland and beyond who receive care here. For little children especially play is a vital part of development and we wanted to ensure that they had the best possible surroundings to enjoy a bit of normality and fun in between their treatments.’
Our photo shows, on the right, a patient, little Alex Young (2) and her brother Lucas (5) from Gourdon in Angus. The family were on holiday in Portugal when parents Ria and Philip noticed that she was a little lethargic. She wanted to go to bed one afternoon so off she went for a nap. Her parents heard crying a little later and realised that she had got up and gone to the bathroom and had emptied liquid from the toilet cleaner onto the floor so decided that they should head to Faro hospital to have her checked out. When they got there the doctor assured them that Alex had no traces of harmful liquids but told her worried parents that there was something wrong and that tests should be done immediately. Those tests proved that she was anaemic and had leukaemia. Because, as a result, her immune system was very weak, Philip was unable to bring her home on a standard flight and an air ambulance arranged by the insurance company of the airline they flew out with brought Alex and her Mum to Edinburgh.
Alex is now undergoing further tests and treatment.
They arrived at the hospital with their cases and have been so impressed with all the staff and the hospital. ’Everyone in this place has been fantastic’, said Philip as he returned to the playroom with Lucas for another game on the Wii purchased with funds raised by Supporter readers. Whilst her parents waited anxiously for further test results as their daughter’s treatment gets underway our photo shows little Alex and Lucas enjoying a painting session with Georgia and Ishbel Proctor, Play Services Coordinator, during her stay here. Alex went home mid August and her treatment will continue at bgoth ninewells hospital and here.
The little girl on the left, Georgia Hillman from Dunfermline, will celebrate her 2nd birthday in mid August and blow out her candles like any other 2 year old, but the last year has been a rollercoaster for her Mum and Dad as they have cared for her while she has gone through treatment for Wilm’s Tumour.
Just before her first birthday her mum, Ruth was blowing raspberries on Georgia’s tummy and noticed that it felt very firm. Concerned that something might not be right, she visited her GP and later that day Georgia was admitted to the children’s ward at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital. After various examinations Georgia was transferred here, to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children the following day.
Ruth’s husband Ben was called back from Birmingham, where he was working at the time, to be by Ruth’s side as Georgia underwent further tests, ultrasound and MRI examinations and a biopsy of the tumour on her kidney.
‘We were thrilled to be allowed home for her birthday, but it was really difficult to be happy as the realisation set in that this could be the only birthday we would have with our precious little girl. Georgia was oblivious though and had a fantastic day soaking the house, her grannies and auntie with her new sand and water table!’ said Ruth.
Very quickly it was confirmed that Georgia had a Wilm’s Tumour which was very large, so it was decided that she would have 4 weeks of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove the tumour and then a further 6 months of chemotherapy. Treatment began immediately, and shortly afterwards the decision was made to introduce a more aggressive chemotherapy drug in an attempt to increase Georgia's chances of having laporascopic surgery and decrease her chances of later needing radiotherapy. But after the first dose of this drug little Georgia developed a serious infection as her immune system was so low and she had to be re-admitted to hospital.
‘It was dreadful’ said Ruth ‘she just lay there so unwell for nearly 10 days and all that we could do was watch and pray….and then suddenly she just came round and we knew that we had turned a big corner. She had one more minor infection but the changes and delays in her treatment were a blessing in disguise as we were told that she would not need radiotherapy and it became clear that the longer spell of treatment had shrunk her tumour so much that it would be possible to do her operation by keyhole surgery.’
Having the tumour removed by laparoscopic surgery means that the operation is less invasive, there is less scarring, less pain during recovery and a shorter recovery time. In Georgia’s case when Mr MacKinlay and Mr Fraser, who performed her procedure, came to see her 24 hours later she was sitting up in her high chair eating lunch and immediately discharged!
During the next few months there were many worrying times, with a week in April when she was very unwell and there was concern that she had contracted meningitis, but yet again she bounced back. 'Georgia has amazed us with her resilience over the past year, and her cheery smile and boundless energy have really pulled us through.' said Ruth.
Most of her treatment has been provided in the Ward 2 Day Care area where she is a livewire, enjoying our new playroom and making lots of friends. She has never let coming to hospital bother her and she seemed quite at home when we spoke with her and Ruth in the new playroom in Ward 2.
'All the staff at the hospital have been outstanding’ said Ruth, ‘always greeting you with a smile and providing a shoulder to cry on when it has been needed. They truly are an amazing group of people, who we will never be able to thank enough for all they have done for us. Our good news is that we were told on July 21st that Georgia is in remission…and although we know that we will have to come back for checks very regularly for the next 5 years, that’s the best present we could have for our special girl's 2nd birthday!’
We wish Alex and Georgia all the best with their ongoing care and thank you for helping us to provide the very best of everything for the Playroom so that they can have some fun when they must be at the hospital
