20 September 2023 , 07:25
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A little girl - thought to be the world’s “oldest” frozen egg baby - was told she had a urine infection by medics before doctors realised there was something much more serious going on.
Faith Roberts, six, had been unwell for weeks with pain in her rib and fatigue. Her GP and medics at her local hospital, though, said she had a water infection and was experiencing growing pains. But Faith’s mum Alannah, 36, and dad Andy, 37, were sure their “parental instincts” were right and pushed for another diagnosis at Birmingham Children’s Hospital after their daughter - and only child - suddenly struggled to walk and kept falling over.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror, Alannah said: “She suffered a pain in her rib around six weeks ago and wasn’t feeling well. We took her to the GP who said it was a water infection as she has had them before. I knew it was not a water infection, I suppose it was parental instinct.
“She’d had negative tests for a water infection too so I was sure. We also went to our local hospital but were told the same. We went there too when she suddenly kept falling over. Her leg gave way. She started losing her balance, struggling to walk and falling over.
“Andy and I just kept saying something is not right. He kept saying we have got to push it, and we did. We took her to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”
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Faith underwent an MRI scan there, during which she had to still for one hour in order for it to work. It identified a tumour on her spinal cord and, within three days, Faith had the operation to remove the mass of tissue. The youngster would have been paralysed for the rest of her life without the intervention.
Alannah, who is a youth worker at a school, said: “First indications are they got it all and it is benign. We are just awaiting confirmation from the biopsy. It was on one of her spinal nerves and, if it had been left, it could have led to paralysis so we were lucky. The team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital have been great. It is common, apparently, for doctors to misdiagnose tumours in the spine as growing pains in children, particularly of Faith’s age, so it is not surprising.”
Alannah and Andy, who live in Kingswinford, West Midlands, were extremely impressed with the team at the NHS facility, which has a world-renowned cancer centre, and were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House, which accommodates families of youngsters staying long term at the hospital.
Alannah, Andy and Faith appeared on Good Morning Britain when Faith was a baby (ITV)But Andy, who has his own quantity surveyor firm Stour Heath Projects, was dismayed to understand the hospital needs a new MRI scanner - like the one which has helped his daughter’s life.
In a desperate bid to help, the dedicated father is running 5,000km each day for as many days Faith is in hospital, or back on her feet (whichever is the longest) and raise money for the £1.5million machine. Strangers have already donated thousands of pounds to Andy’s good cause. The hospital has expressed its gratitude as Andy's incredible support has helped it "a step closer to achieving the target".
In a JustGiving page, Andy writes: “Please donate anything you can. They are literally working miracles on a daily basis so any sponsorship would greatly be appreciated.
“Birmingham Children’s Hospital have been outstanding, and continue to amaze us everyday with their dedication to helping not only our child but hundreds of children everyday.”
Alannah, who has herself beaten cancer three times, says Faith’s “amazing” attitude that also aided her recovery. The youngster even dedicated two song requests to her parents on the hospital’s radio station Radio Lollipop last week.
“Faith has stayed strong. She is a gorgeous little miracle and continues to inspire us. She is doing well,” Alannah added.
(ITV)“Without this MRI scanner though, they wouldn’t have found the tumour so Andy is dedicated to this challenge. Sometimes he runs near the hospital if we are staying over and other times he might be home, where he will run with friends.”
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Alannah made history in 2016 when she gave birth to Faith as her daughter was created from an egg she had frozen some 14 years earlier. Faith became the world’s “oldest” frozen egg baby as a result, as the egg was “harvested” from Alannah when she was a teenager battling cancer.
Alannah, who by the time she became a mum at 30 had herself beaten cancer three times, said Faith “beat all the odds to be here” following the joy.
Speaking at the time, Robert Smith, Clinical Director for Care Fertility London – who are one of the biggest and longest running IVF providers in Britain – said: 'This is an amazing achievement. We have never come across a baby that has been born such a long time after egg freezing before.
“Eggs are so incredibly fragile – much more so than embryos – so this is amazing to have been able to preserve this woman's fertility for so long like this.”
Last night, Miranda William, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: "Having a sick child can be incredibly challenging for a family, but to channel it into something so positive like a running challenge is truly inspirational and we’re so thankful.
"Every penny Andy raises will make a big and positive difference to the thousands of families who will benefit from our £1.5m iMRI Appeal, which is fundraising to bring a state-of-the-art intraoperative MRI scanner to our hospital for the first time.
"During surgery the brain, which is soft, will change shape and position, so this technology will immediately reassure families and surgeons the tumour has been removed and vastly reduce the need for a second operation, sparing patients and families from going through another lengthy surgical procedure.
"Andy’s incredible support takes us a step closer to reaching our target and ensures we can continue to offer the best treatment and experience to our patients. We’re so grateful."