My leukaemia journey is like climbing a mountain.. by April I’ll have taken final steps up the summit, I’ll be at the peak & I will be in control

Teen’s diary reveals how drive and confidence helped her beat odds

A SCOTS teenager has scored straight As in her exams – despite battling leukaemia.

Antonia McTernan was forced to miss her National 5 exams after she was diagnosed at the age of 15.

This summer, after a gruelling programme of treatment, the brave schoolgirl sat her first-ever exams at Holyrood Secondary in Glasgow.

And despite all the challenges she has had to overcome, Antonia secured As in English and Chemistry.

This year, she will study Modern Studies, Spanish and Sociology before pursuing her dream of a career in journalism.

Antonia, 17, said: “After being too unwell to sit my National 5s last year, I was thrown right into the deep end with Highers being my first-ever experience of an exam.

“I was just so thankful to be well enough to sit them, especially after missing so much term time.” Antonia was at the new Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow when she got her results earlier this month.

She said: “That morning my main focus was the success of my theatre procedure.

“But when I heard the email come through, reality hit and my nerves took over.

“When I read my results, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“I was over the moon. My exam success has given me my confidence back and was the boost I needed going into sixth year.

“I am now looking forward to seeing what this school year brings.”

For her English exam, Antonia wrote a powerful and inspirational account of how her life was changed in an instant.

She called her story Losing Control.