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December 26, 2021 – 2:39 pm Clock
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Leukemia diagnosis just before Christmas
Almost exactly a year ago, on December 17, 2020, little Georgia Jeffrey (9) from Berwick-upon-Tweed in England received the shock diagnosis of leukemia – just eight days before Christmas. Shortly before, the girl’s doctor had suspected that her symptoms of the disease could indicate a corona infection.
Only telephone consultation hours possible: General practitioner considers cancer symptoms to be Covid-19
Georgia had a high fever about four weeks before she was diagnosed with cancer, her mom Leigh recalls to JamPress. When she and her husband David contacted the family doctor about this, he only offered them a telephone consultation due to the tense pandemic situation. Georgia’s parents report that he interpreted the fever as a possible symptom of a Covid 19 infection. But shortly afterwards a PCR test shows: Georgia is negative.
The doctor then concluded that it was a simple viral infection. Only after four worried phone calls from the parents does the doctor suggest a video consultation. And then suddenly everything goes very quickly: When he saw the sick Georgia, he realized that there could be more to the girl’s high fever, according to Leigh Jeffrey. He immediately advised parents to go to the hospital with their daughter.
Doctors sound the alarm in the hospital
Doctors at the local hospital then carry out tests – and sound the alarm! The next morning, the then 8-year-old was transferred to the “Great North Children’s Hospital” in Newscastle, where the girl and her family were informed of the diagnosis. Georgia has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer that most commonly occurs in childhood. “The diagnosis was devastating for all of us,” recalls Mother Leigh in the Jam Press interview of the moment that turned her life upside down.
Doctors want to start treating the aggressive cancer as soon as possible. For Georgia, that means: she has to spend Christmas 2020 in the hospital. Particularly difficult for the parents: Due to the corona safety regulations in the hospital, the family cannot visit the girl together. “Last Christmas only one visitor was allowed to the ward because of Corona. So one of us went while the other stayed at home with the other children. It was really heartbreaking,” said the mother of four.
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Chemo works! Georgia can finally go home
Georgia’s chemotherapy begins on Christmas Eve of all times. “It was bad watching my little girl’s hair fall out,” says Leigh. “It started at the back of her head. Whole clumps just fell out. So we decided to cut the hair off in sections so that it doesn’t come as a shock to her.” Her daughter wore a wig for a short time afterwards, but soon she decided not to hide her shaved head anymore. “She was really brave,” the mother praises her brave girl. Much worse than the falling hair, however: the side effects of chemotherapy made Georgia unable to walk.
In February 2021, the longed-for turning point: The chemo is finished, so Georgia can now be treated on an outpatient basis. Although she has to attend weekly check-ups, she can live at home with her family again. At the beginning of December the next good news: In Georgia’s blood no more cancer cells can be detected!
Reading tip: Mom of two (29) was considered cured: pain in the buttocks turned out to be terminal cancer
Joy of Christmas together in 2021
Home at last! Georgia is excited not to have to go to the hospital again for Christmas this year.
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Mama Leigh, Papa David, Georgia’s three older siblings and the family dog Trixie are overjoyed that they can spend this Christmas with the baby of the family again. The family now wants to recharge their batteries in order to continue to overcome the after-effects of chemotherapy in the coming year. “She still has difficulty walking and needs a wheelchair when she gets tired. And we will still have to go to the doctor for checkups.” (and)
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