‘Please do your bit to look after my daughter by staying at home’
Field hospital chief’s plea to protect girl, 6, diagnosed with a brain tumour
DR LIZA Thomas-Emrus has more reason than most to champion the Welsh Government’s “stay at home” message during the coronavirus crisis.
The experienced GP has been tasked with running one of the country’s largest field hospitals at the WRU’s training facility at the Vale Resort – home to Wales’ national rugby teams – where it is now providing an additional 290 beds to the NHS.
These temporary facilities, which were erected in a matter of days, could prove vital should any easing of lockdown restrictions lead to a surge in cases.
But alongside her desire to avoid a dreaded second peak, Dr ThomasEmrus’ other motive for containing the virus’ spread is far more personally driven.
Her six-year-old daughter Tora, who has a rare tumour in her brain, has had her routine appointments and scans put on hold so Covid-19 treatment can be prioritised.
In a heartfelt video message to the 25,000 followers of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Facebook page, the mother-of-two said: “Please do your bit to look after my daughter by staying at home so that we can resume normal activities again. So protect her, protect us and we’ll protect you.”
Dr Thomas-Emrus, from Cyncoed, Cardiff, said Tora was born with neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder which causes tumours to form on nerve tissue.
It was later discovered one of the tumours is sitting on her brain and needs regular monitoring at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales to ensure it does not grow further. “She is now under eight different specialities,
including oncology,” Dr Thomas-Emrus told the Echo.
“Even though the brain tumour is currently stable and does not require any chemotherapy, she needs MRI scans every three to six months. “I think one of my biggest achievements was training her to lie still for an hour and a half while she was under the scanner.”
Due to all non-urgent appointments and procedures being postponed in a bid to focus on coronavirus patients, Tora’s latest MRI – set for the end of March – did not go ahead. Without frequent checks, Dr Thomas-Emrus fears the mass could affect her precious daughter’s vision or damage the part of the brain that controls hormones. Tora, whose sixth birthday party had to be cancelled due to the lockdown, has thankfully had her baby brother Macsen, 4, to keep her company during this deeply uncertain time.
“She can be quite nervous going to school as her mobility isn’t great, so she’s actually having a brilliant time playing with her brother and not having to go to appointments,” she added.
“We have been quite lucky that she can continue with things like her physiotherapy at home. We are trying to get as much support remotely as we can.
“But there is that fear that not only could she catch the virus, but her tumour could grow undetected. We will just have to wait until we can do the next MRI, whenever that may be, to see whether any changes have occurred.”
Figures show that Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is under the jurisdiction of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, has the highest number of Covid-19 cases per head of anywhere in Wales.
It is also a local authority with a high percentage of elderly people, those living in poverty and managing with chronic health conditions.
Dr Thomas-Emrus, who works as a GP in out of hours for the health board, stressed that those with conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease were more likely to become seriously ill from the virus.
“We know that the poorer we are, the more likely we are to have longterm health problems that are lifestylerelated,” said Dr Thomas-Emrus, who specialises in lifestyle and preventative medicine.
“Around 80% of these problems are preventable and reversible, so in Cwm Taf we are keen to develop a sense of partnership with these patients to help them understand their conditions, give them a better their quality of life and help reduce their risk.”
At the temporary field hospital in the Vale Resort, Hensol, Dr ThomasEmrus said there will be a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.
She said the facility will contain NHS staff from both primary and secondary care, allowing patients who are recovering from Covid-19 to be given a “holistic” route back to full health.
Social prescribing, where patients are referred for non-medical support including sporting activities, gardening, adult learning and befriending, will also be offered.
“This will be a space for us to rehabilitate patients slowly and get people back up on their feet,” she said.
“We will take this as an opportunity to improve people’s lifestyles and give them a sense of control during this deeply anxious and confusing time.”
But Dr Thomas-Emrus admitted that everyone in the health board is dreading a second peak of the virus.
“The Spanish flu killed far more people in the second wave than it did the first,” she pointed out.
“The last thing we want is to not learn from our first peak and not be ready to respond.
“But in Cwm Taf I know that we are ‘highly alert’ and ready to respond and adapt to whatever happens in our communities.
“We need people to be ‘home heroes,’ to continue to follow social distancing and to look after each other. If we work together we can drive down the rates of infection and start routine NHS services up again for people like my daughter.”
Dr Thomas-Emrus, whose partner has also had to close his hairdressing business due to the outbreak, concluded: “This virus has been catastrophic for many, many families. The way it has affected care homes in particular has been extremely sad to see.
“There has been so much loss of life, it can be hard not to get overwhelmed by it.
“But the more we can look after ourselves and our health at home, the more we can feel in control and empowered.”
Please do your bit to look after my daughter by staying at home so we can resume normal activities again
Dr Liza ThomasEmrus