A family has spoken about how their lives have been turned "upside down" following their three-year-old's cancer diagnosis. Parents Claire Formby and Mike Smith took their child Ella to the GP after she was complaining of pains in her tummy on a day out.
But doctors said they couldn't find anything wrong, even though the little girl 'was not herself and lethargic.' Even after Claire and Mike, from Runcorn, took their daughter to urgent care, there was still no explanation for Ella feeling so ill.
Speaking to the ECHO, Ella's auntie Joanne Formby said: "In hindsight now, looking back, Ella has always struggled with digestion problems. When she was born she was on prescription milk, which contained no protein and as she got older and was potty training, she always seem to struggle or there was something not quite right.
"The day before Mother's Day, myself, my husband, my two children, Claire, Mike, my other niece Grace - who is Ella's sister - and Ella, we all went to Liverpool to the museum for a day out and Ella was just really tired and really lethargic.
"Usually she is like a little Tasmanian devil but this day she just wanted to be carried, she wanted to get in the pram, which is so unlike her. On the following Monday, Claire and Mike took her to the doctors and got sent home as they couldn't find anything wrong with her.
"They ended up in urgent care and again urgent care couldn't find anything obviously wrong with her. During the course of that week she was just awake every night in pain, crying."
After several more trips to urgent care, eventually, the three-year-old was sent to to Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Following an ultrasound, doctors found a small mass above her kidney. An MRI scan found Ella had a 7cm tumour in her stomach. When an oncologist checked the scan again, they found further masses in Ella's neck and thighs.
She was diagnosed stage four neuroblastoma - a cancer of specialised nerve cells called neural crest cells. These cells are involved in the development of the nervous system and other tissues.
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Neuroblastoma is rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. The family were also given the heartbreaking news the cancer spread to Ella's lymph nodes, neck, thighs and in her bones.
The three-year-old has already had chemotherapy and will undergo further chemo, radiotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplant and immunotherapy.
Joanne added: "They [Claire and Mike] are just numb, completely overwhelmed by everything. It was so much to take in, in just a short space of time. I think they are just so grateful that we live quite close to Alder Hey and that sort of support that they have been receiving from Alder Hey has just been phenomenal. What a team of people.
"I think the first few weeks, when you've not got a clue what is happening, you hear stage four and you think the worst and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But we have got a plan in place now and we know what dates and things are going to be happening.
"It is almost a focus away from thinking the worst. The strength they have managed to find in the last few weeks is nothing short of inspirational."
Ella was described by her other auntie, Claire Joynson, as someone who's personality "melts your heart" and has an "infectious giggle". Joanne said her niece has struggled following her diagnosis but her "resilience is so inspirational".
The 38-year-old added: "She is so, so brave. She is the bravest little girl I have ever met."
The family are now rallying around Claire, Mike, Ella and Ella's big sister Grace, 13, following the toddler's diagnosis. Joanne has now set up a GoFundMe page to help her family during this difficult time. They have also planned a fundraising event on Saturday, May 27 from 1pm at The Beechwood in Runcorn where anyone is welcome. There will be a raffle and numerous activities during the event.
The family are also asking local businesses for any donations they can offer as raffle prizes. To donate to the GoFundMe page, please click here.
