LILY-MAE MORRISON – the four-year-old girl who suffers from the cancer Neuroblastoma – is to head to London tomorrow ahead of ground-breaking treatment next month as she continues her flight against the disease.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, her mother Judith Sibley said that Lily-Mae was looking forward to the trip.
“She woke up this morning and she was really excited,” she said.
Lily-Mae is set to undergo Intensely Moderated Arc Radiotherapy, a treatment that is available in only a few hospitals throughout the world.
The three day trip – which kicks off tomorrow – will allow the family to meet the team, while also allowing for the creation of a body mould to fit the child before treatment begins on 1 April.
Healthy tissue
“It gives a higher dose to the affected area and less to the healthy tissue,” Sibley explained. “Crumlin [Hospital] has allowed this to happen because the primary tumour was so large.”
Having already undergone nine doses of chemotherapy over just 45 days, the 14 sessions of radiotherapy at the UK hospital had to start before 5 April in order for Lily-Mae to be able to undergo further treatment.
“I’m absolutely so delighted,” Sibley said, adding:
Crumlin Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital have been amazing. I have nothing but good things to say about them. Everyone has been phenomenal in making this happen, including the HSE [who are funding the treatment].
The April treatment will be followed by antibody treatment. “It’s only existed in Europe for the last 18 months, and its aim is to try to prevent Neuroblastoma from coming back,” said Lily-Mae’s mother.
Describing the years ahead, Sibley is both hopeful and worried.
Fundraising
“I am crossing everything that the monster doesn’t return. If it does we’re in a lot of trouble,” she said
A return of the cancer will not only cause further heartbreak, but also financial stress.
While upwards of €250,000 has been raised to date, the family will need in the region of €500,000 to cover their costs, should the cancer return.
“Unless we have to use it for treatment, every single penny will go to The Neuroblastoma Society,” Sibley said.
We hope against hope that we don’t need it.
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