Family touched by support for little battler Amelia
The parents of a Hamilton school girl who was diagnosed with cancer have thanked everyone who have helped and supported their family over the last two months.
Little Amelia Mackie (5) has endured endless stays in hospital, dozens of tests and operations and bouts of chemotherapy.
It is all in a bid to overcome the disease following her acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosis just weeks before Christmas.
Her parents Karla Jamieson and Chris Mackie have been completely overwhelmed with the generosity and support they have received during this time.
And despite being absolutely exhausted, the couple were keen to show face at a charity event being held in aid of Amelia at Blantyre Miners’welfare on Sunday – an event that raised over £1000 for the family of eight.
Mum Karla, a self-employed hairdresser, told the Advertiser this week:“this last wee while has been the most exhausting weeks of our lives, juggling hospital visits and appointments and, of course, still trying to be there as best we can for our other children.
“We really couldn’t have done it without the help and support of family and friends. Everyone has been so amazing and we’d like to thank them all.
“We managed to get along to the charity event on Sunday and it was so nice to see that so many people, some we didn’t even know, had come out to support Amelia and raise funds, and indeed awareness into childhood cancer.
“Thanks also to the organisers, including fab singer Keri Taylor of Blantyre, and the other tribute acts who helped put it all together.”
Over the next few weeks Amelia will begin her third stage of treatment, which includes nine weeks of chemotherapy via IV drip in hospital, as well maintaining her oral chemotherapy every day.
Karla added:“during this next stage, Amelia will completely lose of all of her hair. She will get home some days here and there in between treatment, but then will go on to what they call delayed intensification for a further seven weeks.
“Amelia’s results came back a few weeks ago from the first rounds of treatment and minimal residual disease result was low risk, which was fab.
“This means that if all goes well, and there are no relapses, she has a 93 per cent chance of survival and that it amazing news.
“We honestly cannot believe how well Amelia has adjusted. She just keeps smiling and hasn’t complained once.
“She’s even been doing her school work in the hospital and is trying her best to keep up to date with the class work as she doesn’t want to fall behind. The school have been great, sending her home work to do.”
Amelia, a pupil at St Mary’s Primary in Hamilton, was diagnosed with cancer in December after initially complaining of having sore legs. The youngster then developed a swelling of her eyes, sores in her mouth, a loss of colour and was constantly tired and falling asleep before being rushed to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow after her parents took her to an out-of-hours GP.