Mollie was a fit and healthy toddler with no symptoms of the aggressive tumour growing inside her little face. Two days before her hospital admission, her eyelid appeared droopy. The GP thought it might be an allergy, but the next day, her left eye could not move upwards, and she appeared to be blind in that eye. She was admitted to the hospital that evening, and soon after, she was diagnosed with cancer.
Mollie started intensive chemotherapy shortly after her diagnosis. Chemotherapy involved a two- or three-day hospital admission every three weeks for six months. Around 12 weeks after her diagnosis, we travelled from Northern Ireland to Jacksonville, Florida, so that Mollie could receive proton radiation. (At this time, proton radiation was unavailable in the UK.) Due to Mollie's young age and the location of her tumour, proton radiation was the most suitable option.
We stayed in Florida for nine weeks, where Mollie received both radiation treatment and chemotherapy. She required daily general anaesthetic for proton radiation to ensure she lay completely still during treatment. It was an incredibly tough time for Mollie and her sister, Grace.
Upon our return from Florida, Mollie completed intensive chemotherapy and then began a year of maintenance chemotherapy. This phase of chemotherapy did not require hospital admissions, and Mollie's hair grew back!
Mollie completed her treatment at the end of 2019 and rang the 'End of Treatment Bell' on Christmas Eve!
Mollie's cancer caused her to lose the sight in her left eye. She will also face many late effects from the harsh treatment she received at such a young age. Childhood cancer has had a massive impact on our family. It was incredibly traumatic to watch our little girl endure such awful treatment, knowing it might not be successful and that she might not survive.
Mollie is doing well, and her wonderful oncologist, Dr Rob Johnston from the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast, regularly monitors her with scans and check-ups.
In 2018, I did not know the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. Childhood cancer happened to 'other people.' It happened to my daughter. Please know the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer!