Imagine your child experiencing mysterious symptoms for over a year, only to be dismissed repeatedly by doctors. This nightmare became a harsh reality for Claire, a devoted mother from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Her six-year-old daughter Evie had been falling over, throwing up, and suffering from headaches for 18 long months. Each time they sought medical help, they were sent home with nothing more than paracetamol.
However, Claire’s determination and instinct pushed her to keep fighting for answers. After five futile visits to different doctors, Evie’s condition deteriorated further. It was only when she was rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, five days after her final GP appointment, that the shocking truth was revealed. Evie was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of an orange.
The journey leading up to this diagnosis was agonizing for the family. Claire vividly recalls being labeled a “paranoid mother” when she first took Evie to Ancora Medical Practice. She even faced the disbelief that a child could have daily headaches. Despite their plea for help, each doctor they encountered suggested eye tests and headache diaries, ultimately sending them home with paracetamol.
Evie’s health continued to decline rapidly. The once vibrant and sociable girl withdrew from activities, becoming tired and unresponsive. Her headaches and nausea became a daily occurrence, and she would often fall asleep in the car ride home from school. It was a heart-wrenching sight for Claire, who felt like her daughter was fading away.
Finally, the breaking point came when Evie fell down the stairs and woke up unable to move her head. In floods of tears, Claire rushed her to the hospital where a scan revealed the cause of her suffering. Doctors told the devastated family that their little girl had a massive brain tumor.
On November 12, Evie underwent a 10-hour operation to remove the tumor. Since then, she has had two additional procedures, and her family is anxiously awaiting the results to determine if the tumor was cancerous and if further treatment is necessary.
Claire and Karl, Evie’s father, hope that by sharing their heart-wrenching story, they can prevent other families from enduring the same ordeal. They are urging parents to trust their instincts, be vigilant for symptoms of a brain tumor such as headaches, nausea, and balance problems, and insist on thorough testing.
The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, responsible for overseeing GP surgeries in the area, has expressed their best wishes for Evie’s recovery and is open to direct communication with the family.
If you’d like to support Evie and her family during this challenging time, a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist them.
Remember, a mother’s intuition is powerful. Trust it, advocate for your child, and ensure that they receive the attention and care they deserve.
Sources: The Sun