Tumour girl has 'bright future'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7738235.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A girl who underwent emergency surgery after a life-threatening tumour was found in her brain, now has a "bright future" and is back in school.

At the age of three-and-a-half, Veronica Ghoda's parents from Bridgend were told she only had a few months to live if the tumour was left untreated.

But it shrank after months of toxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and now aged seven, Veronica is in remission.

Her progress can be seen on the BBC One programme Hospital Check-up on Monday.

Veronica, who has a twin sister Alice who has always been in perfect health, had been experiencing headaches for around two months before her tumour was found.

Her Polish mother Anya Ghoda said they got steadily worse until one day they affected Veronica's mobility.

"She slept all day because of the headaches. And then when she woke up she was wobbling everywhere," she said.

"So we took her straight to hospital and she was sent for an emergency scan. This was when they found the large tumour in the middle of her brain.

She was very poorly, especially after the second dose, I thought we were going to lose her Anya Ghoda

"They then took her down to theatre very quickly to try to release some of the fluid that had built up around her brain. This is what was causing the headaches."

During her operation at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, a tiny sample of the tumour was removed and sent for testing. The results confirmed Veronica was suffering from an aggressive, life-threatening cancer and urgent chemotherapy was essential.

Oncologist Dr Heidi Traunecker believed that the only way Veronica had any chance of staying alive was to try experimental treatment from America - a combination of toxic chemotherapy.

"They told us that the outcome for each child could be different, but we had to give Veronica a chance," said Ms Ghoda.

"She was very poorly, especially after the second dose. I thought we were going to lose her.

"But she was strong and she fought through. It was a miracle really."

Fortunately the treatment brought the size of the tumour down and two years ago Veronica went into remission and returned to school at St Mary's Primary in Bridgend.

Veronica Ghoda lost her hair during the chemotherapy

Although the treatment initially left Veronica unable to walk, she fought through and is now taking part in sports and activities like her class mates.

While she is a year behind her sister at school and has a hearing aid fitted, Ms Ghoda said she is doing well and is near the top of her class.

Veronica still has the tumour and remains in remission with checks ups every six months, but is enjoying life with her twin.

"It is not about worrying about her future anymore," said Ms Ghoda.

"At the moment Veronica is doing well and she will have a bright future. I don't want to think about bad things.

"If something happens, something happens. We will deal with it."

Veronica's story will feature in Hospital Check Up on BBC One Wales on Monday at 2235 GMT.