Skelmersdale mum’s heartbreak as 20-month-old daughter diagnosed with aggressive cancer

Feb 21 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A HEARTBROKEN mum whose 20-month old daughter has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer said her “little fighter” is determined to beat her illness.

Little Millie Heaton first fell ill three weeks ago, with doctors initially diagnosing her with an ear infection.

She wasn’t eating and was sleeping all the time, and her parents Lyndsay and Michael, from Old Skem, became increasingly worried about her. They took her to Ormskirk Hospital and were told she was anaemic, and given iron medication. But the tot’s condition continued to deteriorate and her eyes became “black and swollen”.

In desperation they took her to Alder Hey hospital where she underwent a range of tests, and her parents were given the devastating news last week that she had stage four neuroblastoma – a tumour that started in her abdomen and has now spread through her bones and to her head.

Mille has now begun a first round of chemotherapy, which will see her receive treatment over 48 hours every10 days.

Doctors will then assess how she is doing. But Millie has already improved so much, sitting up and smiling in her hospital bed, that she has been allowed home to see her brother and sister, Michael and Lexie, for a few days.

Lyndsay, 25, said: “Millie has always been a happy and playful little girl. But the last three weeks she has just deteriorated so much. Now she has been in Alder Hey for just over a week, she's back to her little happy old self, it's amazing to see. It's going to be a long journey before she's better but she's my little fighter and she's going to get through this.”

A series of fundraisers have now been organised, with Lyndsay saying she is overwhelmed with the support. Her best friend Katy Quillan is hoping to raise enough money to send the family on a holiday to Disneyland. Hundreds are set to take part in a Passionate Pink Skem Walk for Millie on Saturday March 23, while a band night will take place at the Comrades on March 29. Tomorrow (Friday) there is a childrens’ fun day being held at the Green Hill community centre from 12pm.

Visit the Walk for Millie facebook group at on.fb.me/15uK4IS or call Katy on 07955 693811