Mum rushes toddler to hospital after she forgets how to walk – then Googles terrifying symptoms

A Halifax family is now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following their daughter’s cancer diagnosis at just two-years-old.

Helen Jackson knew something was wrong with her two-year-old daughter Gracie McHugh when she became ill and stopped being able to walk. Despite her concerns, the family kept being sent home from hospital by doctors who claimed her toddler had a virus.

Knowing that she was right, Helen became persistent that it was not ‘just a virus’ like doctors had told her and that her daughter had a form of cancer – which she diagnosed herself by using Google.

Helen, who lives in Holywell Green, said: “We took Gracie to A&E and were sent home after being told she had a virus. However, Gracie became more poorly with pains in her legs, crying out in the night and looked pale in appearance. By the second time we ended up in A&E, I had been googling the symptoms and was starting to worry that it could be cancer.”

Sadly it turned out that Helen’s mother instincts were correct and were confirmed by doctors after several tests were taken. The 39-year-old said: “Following blood tests and a blood transfusion, the consultant was sure Gracie did have a form of cancer. She was raced to Leeds General Infirmary where she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and spent the next 10 days having intense chemotherapy treatment and steroids.”

This was a particularly tough period for her Helen who also had to leave her three other children, including at the time, a four-month-old baby, with family members as Gracie spent most of the following nine months of her life in and out of hospital

Gracie now loves to dance and do other activities like other children her age

Since Gracie was immobile for so long, Gracie needed to learn to walk again with the help of physiotherapy and was signed up for a clinical trial Cancer Research UK helps to fund called “Altogether-1”.

She is now due to end the ‘maintenance’ phase of her treatment in March and will start primary school in September but may need treatment in the future after being diagnosed with osteopenia in her legs with the bones having been left weak by the treatment.

Helen said: “Gracie currently attends pre-school as often as she can and despite often complaining of sore legs, she has joined football, gymnastics and dance classes. She enjoys bossing her brothers, Flynn 11, Noah 7 and two-year-old Theo about and is the sassiest of the siblings.

Helen plans to marry her partner in Ripponden, West Yorkshire in August and are also planning a celebration when Gracie’s treatment is completed. She also plans to go back to work as a child therapist this year.

Gracie with her siblings Flynn 11, Noah 7 and two-year-old Theo

Gracie will soon be awarded a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award, which is backed by a host of famous faces, including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all under 18s who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.

Helen said: “It was such a dark time when Gracie was diagnosed. Luckily, she was too young to understand what was going on, but it was a difficult time for her brothers who had so much to deal with because we had to keep leaving them with other family members while we were at hospital.

“The end is in sight now with Gracie’s treatment completing soon. And we have so much to look forward to this year. Cancer Research UK is such a fantastic charity to recognise these amazing and courageous children. And to help fund the clinical trial Gracie has been on.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Gracie receiving a Star award as she’s been so incredibly brave throughout all of her treatment.” As well as a star-shaped trophy, Gracie also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Her siblings received a certificate too.

Gracie with her siblings

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for West Yorkshire, Jane Bullock, said: “A cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking at any age, but it can be especially hard for youngsters. Gracie is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age and it has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate her courage with a Star Award.