Spirited girl, 13, fights cancer after twin brother conquered illness

Emily Paxford, 13, has undergone three gruelling operations after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in October last year.

Her twin brother George won a tough fight against a rare form of cancer in his leg three years ago.

Having gone through the heartbreak of one child fighting cancer, parents Mark and Christine are now supporting a second through medical treatment.

Mr Paxford said: "When Emily was first diagnosed she said 'this must be terrible for you and mummy, after going through it all with George'.

"She's always been a very caring little girl, but that was her initial thought, not worried for herself but the fact we were going through it all."

He added: "Its just been a terrible time really.

"We've been living in and out of hospitals for over four years now. It's awful, absolutely awful.

"Emily was a great support to George and he has been really good with Emily as he obviously knows a lot of the things she's going through."

Emily, from Derry Hill, near Calne, Wiltshire, was ill for six months before doctors linked the cause of her symptoms to a brain tumour.

After being diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, Emily faced intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and a bone marrow transplant at the Barbara Russell Children's Unit at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.

She has spent much of the past 14 months in hospital after suffering a severe reaction to the treatment which caused her to lose the use of her legs and have restricted use of her arms. Her hearing has also been affected.

The teenager has been confined to a wheelchair and has amazed her family with her courage despite punishing hospital treatments.

Emily has now been recognised by a national charity after she was nominated for a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award by her father.

Mr Paxford said: "She relies on a wheelchair to get around and she has been tremendously brave throughout the horrible time she has had.

"She is currently stable and comes home at weekends, although she is often very tired, feels sick and suffers occasional back and headaches.

"But she has been determined to fight, amazing physiotherapists with her determination to progress. When she came to Frenchay the physios asked her whether there was anything she minded doing and she said 'I don't mind doing anything as long as I get benefit from it', she's just such a determined little girl.

"Emily is a fun loving girl – always polite and friendly – and through everything she has shown an amazing spirit, despite her disabilities, making the nurses laugh with her funny accents."