A 7-year-old girl was given only weeks to live after it was discovered that she had a brain tumor.
When Claudia Carrick suffered sore throat and lost her balance at school, her family rushed her to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where doctors found a tumor in her brain.
Claudia’s mother, Alison, received the heartbreaking news that her daughter’s tumor was incurable.
Doctors said Claudia would have only a month left to live but the tumor, known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), could be treated with radiotherapy which could see the girl live for up to one year.
Claudia’s cousin, Natalie Banks, said: “It’s just been surreal. I don’t think anyone, especially Ali, can comprehend it. Ali is praying for a miracle like we all are.”
Natalie continued: “There’s never a good time for this to happen but right now it’s the worst time with Covid. Robin (Claudia’s twin brother) can’t even go up and see her because only one person is allowed in the hospital at one time and Robin is only seven so he can’t go in by himself.
“I think it’s different when it’s a twin to when it’s siblings. They’ve never ever been apart, it’s heartbreaking to watch.”
DIPG is a rare and highly aggressive type of brain cancer that usually affects children. About 200 to 400 children are diagnosed with the condition each year.
In DIPG, the tumor forms in the stem of the brain in an area called the pons. It is in the lower area of the brain that controls vital body functions like heart rate, balance, blood pressure, breathing, balance, and swallowing.
“The radiation treatment isn’t guaranteed to work and depends on Claudia remaining stable,” Natalie said.
“This was the toughest decision Alison has ever had to make but she opted for treatment in the hope that there could be a clinical trial or a miracle. She just wanted to give her little girl a chance.”
She has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the family and let them make special memories together.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Replaced!