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We are running the Manachester Marathon on 6th April 2014, our inspiration is a very brave 11 year old called Zoe Todd.

 

ZOE TODD - MY INSPIRATION

 
Not long after the Year 6 School Residential Zoe started to suffer with nausea.  This carried on for a couple of weeks before the sickness started.
 
Although Zoe tried her best not to let it effect her life she was soon getting sent home from school on a regular basis, missing spending time with her friends, school trips and festive activities over the Xmas period.  Zoe visited the doctors and A&E on several occasions, having a variety of tests but no one seemed to have any answers.
 
Christmas was fast approaching and as well as having to tolerate the sickness Zoe had now started to suffer with headaches.  She took her usual festive trip to London to spend time with her family but upon her return was complaining of terrible neck ache.  Once again Zoe's parents took her to see the local G.P, after an examination she was referred straight to the Paediatric Ward at The Leeds General Infirmary.
 
Numerous sight and reflex tests were carried out before Zoe underwent an MRI Scan.  By the time they had returned to the ward the Doctors and Surgeons were waiting to deliver the worst news any parent could ever imagine....Zoe had a brain tumour.  The very next day, New Years Day, Zoe endured an agonising 11 hour operation to remove the life threatening tumour.  She was taken straight to ICU where she recovered for 12 hours before moving to Ward 52.
 
As a result of the operation, Zoe had no vision, was partially paralysed down her left side and was unable to walk.  Over the next couple of days she was very poorly but with the help of her family, friends and fantastic staff on Ward 52 seemed to be making great progress.  Unfortunately this was short-lived as she had started to suffer from excruciating head aches and strong bouts of fatigue.  Another scan was ordered immediately which showed a build up of fluid in her ventricles which was causing an immense amount of pressure on her brain.
 
A drain was fitted to the bottom of her spine which eased Zoe's pain and drained the fluid promptly.  As this wasn't a long term solution the drain had to be removed five days later.  Zoe and her family were subject to yet another agonising wait to see if her body could drain the fluid naturally.....FINALLY some good news, Zoe was managing to drain the fluid from her spine herself and a shunt wasn't needed. (this is still being monitored but for the time being isn't a major concern to the medical staff).
 
As with many of these cases, the elation Zoe's family felt from this good news was momentary.  The results from the biopsy were back and their hopes were shattered, Zoe had Cancer.  Her Cancer is an aggressive form known as Medulloblastona, it mainly effects children with only 80 cases in the UK every year.
 
Zoe's family were left shattered by this news whilst Little Miss Todd dealt with the news with an amazing amount of bravery, smiling her way through each day.  She then had to go through 3 more painful Lumber Punctures to see if the Cancer had spread.  With the feeling that nothing was in her favour, Zoe's devoted parents, family and friends prayed for good news.
 
After an excruciating wait the results were finally back and thankfully there was light at the end of this very long, dark tunnel...the Cancer HADNT spread!!
 
Zoe has now started Radiotherapy and will go through an agonising 12 months of treatment.  Amazingly Zoe is already back at school and spending time with her dedicated friends.
 
Zoe's story has inspired me immensely.  The strength shown by this little girl and her family has touched so many people.  Throughout her ordeal Zoe has kept her positivity, never stopped smiling and most importantly not lost the dry sense of humour that we all know and love so much.
 
Zoe's parents feel they owe a tremendous amount of thanks to the team on Ward 52 for saving their precious daughter's life.  Although the medical care on this ward is of the highest quality, the facilities for the patients and parents are fairly limited due to a severe lack of funding.  Televisions are costly and refreshment facilities basic.  Some of these families are on the ward for months on end with little home comforts.  Nothing will compensate the nightmare they are living but I am sure you will agree, if we can raise enough funds to help their stay in hospital as comfortable as possible we are half way there.
 
Keep going Zoe - truly our inspiration!