Dottie’s Journey

On Friday 4th September 2020,Dottie was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour (Bilateral Glioma of the Thalamus) which currently is being treated with chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) & Basildon Hospital, her treatment started in September 2020 and is due to finish in May 2022.

Dottie was only 4 years old when she had a really bad headache & we took her to our local A&E where she had an emergency MRI scan & was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

She was blue lighted straight away to GOSH. This all happened during the pandemic so there were restrictions on only Dottie's parents being allowed access to see Dottie, during this traumatic period.

We had to let my parents take over the care of our 2 other daughters Lily 15 & Bella 9 who we never got to see for another 3 weeks & when we did get to see them in order to ensure safeguarding, and being extra careful, we had to stand outside wearing face masks couldn't even give our girls a cuddle, due to concerns with Covid and the possibility of passing this onto Dottie.

5 days after Dottie was first diagnosed, due to concerns regarding the build up of pressure and fluid around the brain, she had a craniotomy, it was also necessary to carry out surgery to obtain some biopsies from the tumour in order to diagnose the type of tumour which Dottie had and the necessary treatment.

We were so thankful, that Dottie's brain surgeon was the world renowned Dr. Jaleeni who carried out the this delicate operation and due to where the tumour was perilously located on the brain, he miraculously and skillfully obtained 10 biopsies each the size of a half a grain of rice.

Once we had all the results back from the laboratory, we were then hit with the fact this was going to be a long journey, requiring 18 months of chemotherapy, frequent trips to GOSH and Basildon Hospitals. Throughout all of this, we had to try and stay positive.

Fast forward a few weeks in hospital & the start and the realism of our journey ahead hits us hard.

Firstly, Dottie commenced her chemotherapy, which happened to coincide with what would have been her first day at primary school, with her best friends. Sadly, we were in a hospital about to commence 18 months of chemotherapy. The feelings and emotions were of despair and heartbreaking sadness.

Our family and extensive friends and networks have been absolutely brilliant. The kindness and generosity of so many of our friends and family and the many people we did not know until this situation developed has been so gratifying.

We recognise that Dottie's journey is going to be a very long road, which will require ongoing care and support for many years. Following a meeting with Dottie's oncologist, it was made evident to us, that advances in medial research and technology are being made on an ongoing basis.

With this in mind and in preparation to provide Dottie with as much support as possible, whatever we are faced with in the future, we have decided to create a trust fund for Dottie.

Dottie's Trust.will be set up to assist with her ongoing care and taking opportunities with any medical advancements, so it is a priority for us to be ready for when and should that time come as well as continuing to provide a healthy and stable environment for her.

Dottie's Trust will be managed independently and will endeavour to raise funds for Dottie, but also for the amazing charities who have done and continue to do so much for helping us on our journey so far. Such as Sick Children's Trust, Give a Duck UK, Beads of Courage, Gold Geese, MCA Trust and One Pound Warriors, Clic Sargent, to name just a few.

Any funds raised which Dottie will not require, will be donated and shared to all the brilliant charities that have helped us on our journey.

We thank all our friends & family for all your ongoing care, love and help along this traumatic journey

Dottie and family

xxxx