A schoolgirl who was caught falling asleep in class by her teacher was then diagnosed with cancer. Khursheed Mohammed was just five when she was told by doctors that she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, reports Leicestershire Live.
Her mother, Mariam, says that she first took her daughter to see their GP around four years ago, when she noticed her tummy swelling. The Leicestershire mum was initially told by a medical professional that it was merely chronic constipation.
But as the weeks went by, the youngster gradually grew weaker and more tired. Mariam said:" I knew something wasn't right and I kept taking her to the doctor, but I felt like I was being fobbed off."
"When the teacher told me she was falling asleep at school I knew that was not like her, so I called the GP again and insisted that they see her."
This time around, Khursheed was seen by a locum doctor, who decided to run some blood tests. Mariam says she was stunned the following evening when the GP called with the test results.
She said: "He said 'stop what you're doing and bring her to the surgery!' When we got there, he said he was sending us straight to A&E so I was quite panicked.
"As soon as we arrived at Leicester Royal Infirmary, the nurses came rushing over to take her for more tests and the specialist came and explained that she had blood cancer. I just froze.
"I've never known anyone to experience cancer so I just went numb. They explained what acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was but I didn’t really understand it.
"All you hear is cancer. Khursheed had to have lots of injections and her face ballooned up from all the steroids. But she was incredibly brave and took it all in her stride.”
During her 36 months of treatment Khursheed was in and out of hospital because her immune system was so depleted that any infection could be deadly. Mariam said: "I remember on one occasion she was so poorly she just couldn’t stop shaking."
"It was quite frightening but the hospital staff were always really helpful and reassuring. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster but I'm so thankful that she had the most amazing treatment."
Khursheed is now doing "really well" and has even been awarded a national charity award for her bravery during treatment. The nine-year-old has received a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award.
Her mum, who nominated her, said: "As soon as I heard about the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, I put Khursheed forward because she's been so incredibly resilient.
"She's been through so much, but she's taken it all in her stride and even given us moral support. Without her fighting spirit I would have been broken but she held me up."
As well as a star-shaped trophy, Khursheed also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Her older sister Amana, 10, received a certificate too.
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