Caitlin's Story
Caitlin Lucy Peaker is a seven year old girl who led a life of childhood bliss where she laughed, ran, played and academically achieved all that was expected of her, until February 2009 when she was diagnosed with a Medullablastoma (cancerous grade 4 tumour) which endeavoured to turn her world upside down.
This marathon of a journey for Caitlin started with physical symptoms of being unwell in November 2008 where she complained of a sore throat and neck pain.
A CT scan confirmed a tumour in Caitlin’s Cerebellum (part of the brain whose function is to co-ordinate voluntary movements) and also hydrocephalus (build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain due to a blockage caused by the tumour). Caitlin was sent to Leeds General Infirmary (where she enjoyed the journey; flashing lights and the different sirens of the ambulance!)
After consultation with the neurosurgeon, there was little option but to operate to remove the tumour.
Caitlin’s operation was mainly successful in the removal of her tumour apart from a tiny piece that remained attached to her brain stem. This would later disappear with 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
Following the operation, Caitlin developed a post-operative complication called Posterior Fossa Syndrome (a 5% chance of occurring) which left her without the ability to speak or move her limbs for four weeks. This was a major setback in her recovery which she is still working hard to overcome.
In fighting this cancer Caitlin has undergone 6 weeks of radiotherapy consisting of over 30 anaesthetics and a 48 week programme consisting of 8 cycles of chemotherapy which she has now completed.
Caitlin currently is able to walk short distances with the help of someone and a zimmer frame. Her co-ordination and speech are improving all the time and although she gets really frustrated that she can’t run around with other children, she has learnt a quiet patience that is difficult to articulate into words.
These words don’t really touch on the rollercoaster journey Caitlin and her family have been on, however Caitlin has been an inspiration to all who know her as she has tirelessly fought for her life with little complaint and with a spirit that is astounding. We hope and pray that she will again be able to do all the things she once did that we all take for granted in our everyday lives.
Written by Sara Fieldhouse (Caitlin’s Auntie)