NEW TERM SMILES FOR
LITTLE Matilda Fisher has lived nearly half her life battling a deadly disease. And at five, she already knows what she wants to be when she grows up – a nurse.
Hospital must seem to her like her whole world since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2016. But now Matilda is in remission – and she and her parents, Gabby and Dave, are looking forward hopefully to a normal life after she started school last Monday.
“She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2016. She’d been unwell for a year – infections and temperatures. Then she got pneumonia,” says Gabby, 29, of Staverton, Wilts. “When we were told she had leukaemia, we went from a normal world to a world of cancer in an instant. She had a blood transfusion that night and then was taken to Bristol Children’s Hospital where chemotherapy began the following day.
“Our son Marley was just four months when Matilda was diagnosed, so we had to break our family in two. She stayed in hospital five weeks and had six months of intense chemo in total. Now she’s on maintenance chemotherapy until February.”
ESCAPE
Last year, Matilda made it to infants school with 68% attendance. “She started with barely any hair – but it was an escape and she loves it,” says Gabby. “It would be nice this year if she managed more birthday parties. She got invited to lots and couldn’t make it.
“She’s missed half her childhood – as a mum that’s hard to deal with. But you hear of others who don’t get to this point, and you feel fortunate.” Chirpy Matilda tells us she loves unicorns, crafting and family days out. She says: “The best thing about school is getting to see all of my friends.” Gabby looks on with pride. “Matilda never moans or makes a fuss – she’s said she’d love to be a nurse one day,” she says. “She just accepts everything and puts most people to shame. She is the bravest person I know.” IN brand new uniforms and with nervous smiles, they look like a million other children ready for their first day back at school.
But these special youngsters have already taken their toughest test – and got 10 out of 10 for courage.
And the parents of Matilda, Kira, Rayaan and Zaid are rightly bursting with pride about the result – a gold star day they thought they would never see.
Because all these children have beaten cancer to start their new school terms.
Today, it’s their story time… FOUR-YEAR-OLD Zaid Ali’s mum couldn’t wait for her son to start school – and regain the confidence shattered by his dreadful illness.
Zaid was diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumour, a kidney cancer that typically occurs in children, last year. But he battled through the gruelling treatment to begin reception on Wednesday.
Mum Ashleigh, 27, says: “He stopped eating properly at the end of 2016. I was told everything was OK, but when I noticed his stomach get unusually bigger last April I went back to the GP.
“He was sent straight to hospital and I was told he had a tumour in a kidney. I was so worried. Doctors had to shrink it then remove his kidney.
“His chemo was intensive and it was tough. I had to teach him to walk again. He wasn’t happy he lost his hair – he didn’t even want to look at himself in the mirror. He still lacks confidence. As a mum, it’s horrible to watch.”
Ashleigh has two other young children with partner Habibur, 26. “I had to leave them for a whole year while I was in and out of hospital with Zaid,” she says. “His treatment finished in June and he’s doing really well. He’s a really happy little boy. I’m hopeful he can get on with the rest of his life.” Zaid, now at Barrowford Primary School near Nelson, Lancs, loves to watch Frozen and play with his trains. He says of school: “I like sitting down and listening to the teacher.”
Ashleigh adds: “I never thought we’d get here, looking back to when he was deteriorating rapidly. He’s very creative so I can’t wait for him enjoy art at school. I’m just so proud of him.” ■■Zaid, Rayaan, Matilda & Kira are supporting Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens, in partnership with TK Maxx, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Read about the latest developments at cruk.org/kidsandteens