Watching my little girl run around the garden in her princess dress, a tear escaped from my eye. It was February 2021, and we were celebrating my daughter Acacia's sixth birthday. She was having the time of her life dressed as Elsa, her favourite character from the film Frozen. And when Queen Elsa herself walked in, dressed in a near-identical outfit, Acacia looked like she might burst with excitement. But although she seemed happy and carefree, like any other child her age, five months earlier, my sweet girl had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She had less than a year to live.
SOMETHING WRONG
In August 2020, I had taken Acacia, then five, and her stepbrother Landon, eight, out for dinner to celebrate her stepdad Ben's 26th birthday, along with my mum and dad. But Acacia wasn't her usual chatty self and when Ben and I looked through photos the next morning, we noticed one of her eyes was drooping and her mouth was a little slanted.
Concerned, we saw our GP the next day, who referred Acacia to hospital, where she was diagnosed with Bell's palsy - a form of weakness in the facial muscles - and prescribed steroids.
At first, Acacia's symptoms improved, but by the end of the week, she was complaining of headaches, sickness and dizziness. And when she began to lose her balance, bumping into things and becoming unable to walk properly, I took her to hospital and insisted she had scans.
After an a doctor ushered me into a private room while Acacia played with a nurse, and I felt my heart lurch. I just knew it meant bad news.
I'm afraid we've found a mass on Acacia's brain,' he said. "She'll need more tests before we can determine what it is.'
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin September 26, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin September 26, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
HOW BAD IS YOUR DIET?
Rachel Tompkins, 44, found her family consumes far too much ultra-processed food, so she decided action
I MOVED BACK HOME AT 41
Karen Hitchen, 54, explains the best things about being a boomeranger
DISGRACED TEACHERS BEHIND BARS
We take a look at the female teachers risking it all for relationships with their pupils
BEAT HAY FEVER FOR FREE!
Relieve symptoms and put a spring back in your step without spending a penny
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on cigarettes, bras and toilet habits
HOLIDAY DEALS
Bag a bargain this summer with these amazing summer destinations
DINNERS FOR DIETERS!
Healthy eating is easy with these hearty midweek meals
FIX WRINKLES fast!
From effective skincare to handy gadgets and tools that deliver on results, here’s how to smooth out every type of wrinkle
BACK ON TRACK IN 7 DAYS
Fallen off the workout wagon? Shape up for summer and beyond with our gentle but effective routine
A LIFETIME OF LOVE LETTERS
When Lynn Florkiewicz, 66, lost her husband and soulmate, she let the words flow