BEAM THERAPY ZAPS CANCER
Daisy was sedated and held in a body mould which was rotated as a series of high-energy protons targeted the tumour. It was tough and Lynne said: “At first Daisy would scream whenever they took her for sedation.
“She’d take her toy down there and sit on my knee and just cry, it was very hard to see. But the nurses were incredible and did a great job calming her down, playing all these games to distract her. Afterwards, I’d pop her on my knee and give her a cuddle.”
Daisy was discharged from The Christie and had two further rounds of chemo at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary last month. But she had a serious infection from a reaction to tubes inserted into her body. Lynne explained: “It was horrible. Her body just rejected the tubes as foreign objects. She had severe lower back pain and began convulsing.
“We were terrified her body was just so weak after everything, but the staff got it under control.”
Finally, the day came when Daisy’s treatment was over. Lynne added: “It was a wonderful moment when she rang the hospital’s bell to signify the end of her treatment.”
Then, after an agonising three-week
How Sunday Mirror followed courageous Daisy’s cancer battle wait for results, MRI and CT scans and kidney tests revealed the tumour has shrunk from 8cm to 2cm – and Daisy is finally in remission. Lynne said. “Of course our anxiety that Daisy’s cancer will return will always be there. But we are just so grateful she’s still here.”
The family is now saving for
possible future care for Daisy, who has been left infertile and with just one functioning kidney.
The toddler is back at nursery but will defer starting school by a year. Before that will be a big party as Daisy turns four next month.
Lynne and Andrew heaped praise on NHS staff and the treatment itself. They are also raising cash for the children’s oncology ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Another proton therapy centre is due to open at University College London Hospital next year. And private provider Proton Partners – which has three UK centres – is also set to accept some NHS referrals.
Lynne added: “It’s just amazing the treatment is now widely available for so many. It is truly life-changing.”
To help the family, visit justgiving. com/crowdfunding/rachel-davinson