Anxious wait for cancer tot.LITTLE Bethany Baxter is barely old enough to understand the battle to save her from a rare cancer. The three-year-old is having gruelling gru·el·ing also gru·el·ling adj. Physically or mentally demanding to the point of exhaustion: a grueling campaign. gru chemotherapy chemotherapy (kē'mōthĕr`əpē), treatment of disease with chemicals or drugs. One chemotherapeutic approach is the development of selectively toxic substances, i.e. for a kidney tumour tumour or neoplasm Mass of abnormal tissue that arises from normal cells, has no useful function, and tends to grow. Cell abnormalities may include increased size or number or loss of characteristics that differentiate their tissue of origin. while her parents wait to see if she needs a lifesaving transplant. Doctors have told Jane, 26, and Nick, 24, the lump is so large the kidney must be removed, although there is a chance the other can be saved. But, if the cancer has spread, the only option is a transplant. Dance teacher Jane, who gave up work to be with Bethany, said: "It's been heartbreaking heart·break·ing adj. 1. Causing overwhelming grief or distress. 2. Producing a strong emotional reaction: heartbreaking loveliness. . "When treatment began she was screaming, 'I'm scared, Mummy. Please don't hold me down' - but we had to. "Bethany is such a star but she doesn't understand what's happening to her. "When we found out I didn't want her to have treatment as I didn't want her to suffer. Now I feel more positive." Bethany has a Wilms' tumour, which hits just one in 250,000 children. Jane and Nick, of Hoo, Kent, are raising funds for Leap of Faith, the charity they set up to aid Cancer Research, Great Ormond Street hospital The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) was founded in London in 1852. There are a few institutions which pre-date it as providing care for children, although not in-patient beds. in London, where Bethany is treated, and her personal trust. |
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