A girl with an inoperable brain tumour that causes a droop in her eye has managed to start school against all the odds. Emma Williams, 38, spotted a droop in her four-year-old daughter Peggy's left eye and took her to Royal United Hospital, Bath.
A scan showed a small lump on the tots optic nerve and after a ten-and-a-half-hour operation at Bristol Children’s Hospital, a biopsy revealed the tumour was a low grade meningioma which is a slow growing brain tumour.
Doctors have been unable to remove the tumour as it would have left Peggy with life-changing injuries so she is now monitored with regular scans and has to wear a patch over one eye to help rebuild her sight. Doctors are continuing to save the schoolgirl’s eyesight over the next two years.
Emma was overjoyed however when Peggy was able to start school last month. It's a day she thought might not be possible after finding out her daughter's diagnosis.
The stay-at-home-mum, from Corsham, Wiltshire, said: "My partner and I had discussions about holding Peggy back as she had missed so much nursery due to her diagnosis and wanted to make sure she was ready.
"At one stage, we weren’t sure she would ever make it to school. Since surgery and starting school, we have noticed Peggy has grown more confident and is loving being at school.
"Her brother, Noah is in year two at the same school and looks out for his little sister – it’s comforting to know they’re there together."
Peggy had a procedure to re-centre her eye and lift her eyelid which was almost permanently closed due to the tumour in June 2022.
"Peggy keeps us going and helps us want to fight for a better life," Emma added, "She’s an inspiring little girl and to look at her you wouldn’t think there is anything wrong with her."
In November, Emma is taking part in Brain Tumour Research’s Squats or Star Jumps challenge to help find a cure for the disease.
"We’ve always said that we would do anything we can to help other families who may be going through the same thing, “ Emma said. "We feel lucky that Peggy’s tumour is low-grade, although that isn’t to say that she may not need further treatment as she gets older."
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "It’s wonderful to hear that Peggy has started school despite her brain tumour diagnosis.
"We’re grateful to Emma for sharing how Peggy is getting on. It’s thanks to the support of people like Emma, who is helping us raise awareness of the devastation low-grade tumours can cause and highlight the need to more funding to understand, treat and cure this disease.
"We wish Emma the best of luck in her challenge."
