Celebrating Jessica's remarkable recovery

Jessica, known as Jessy to family and friends, was just two when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour. Now aged 14, her family are taking on RBC Race for the Kids to celebrate her amazing recovery, alongside an amazing team of fundraising friends!Jessica had been a happy and healthy child until she fell ill in February 2008. Mum Annabel became more concerned as her condition rapidly deteriorated, from vomiting to being unable to walk properly. The family GP immediately saw something was seriously wrong and referred them to their local hospital in North London.

Jessica was scanned at the Royal Free Hospital, where the family were given the terrifying news that she had a brain tumour. The following day, a further scan confirmed it was a vascular tumour and there was nothing that could be done because of where it was located in her brain.

“We were told the tumour was in such a dangerous part of the brain and that there was nothing that could be done to save Jessica” remembers Annabel, “When we were told this, our family was plummeted to hell. It was the hardest time of my life.”

Jessica was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital to see Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon Dominic Thompson, a specialist in treating this type of very rare and complicated tumour, to see if there was anything that he could do.

“We were taken to GOSH the next day by ambulance, I travelled with Jessica in the back of the ambulance in floods of tears. When we arrived at GOSH, Dominic Thompson was there to meet us and he told us he’d be able to operate. This was the first time we were given any hope since she had become ill.”

Jessica was taken on to Neurosurgical ward at GOSH and kept stable until surgery could take place. She was in theatre for nine hours.

“It doesn’t bear thinking about now” says Annabel. “It was so tough waiting to hear how the surgery went. It was a very difficult time. I also had a nine-month-old baby boy, Zak and was pregnant with my third child. The support I had from family was so valuable and the nursing team on the ward were incredible.

“One nurse in particular, Melissa (pictured above), was incredible – she is so kind, professional and level of care was outstanding in every way. She was always there for us with a smile on her face.”

“Jessy’s surgery went incredibly well however when she came round, she wasn’t able to walk, talk or swallow. We were very worried although just happy she was alive.”

“After a few days Jessy began to get better, she improved day by day and eventually her walking started to improve. Six months after her operation, she still couldn’t swallow and we were told she was unlikely to ever be able to swallow again.”

“However, eventually she defied the odds and her swallowing improved, and she can now eat properly. It’s truly remarkable.”

Over the next few years, the family threw everything into getting Jessica physically fit and able. She joined her two younger brothers with lots of physical games – catching, throwing, jumping, scooting. Here they are taking part in the RBC Race for the Kids together back in 2013.

“Jessy and her brothers, Zak now 12 and Rafi, now 11, get on very well. This year Rafi has even managed to get a team of 50 of his school friends signed up to take part in RBC Race for the Kids to say thank you to GOSH for saving his sister’s life. He is leaving junior school and wanted to mark the occasion with a charitable event and the response from children in his class has been overwhelming.”

Jessy has now made a full recovery. She requires no further treatment and is an excellent gymnast. Annabel has taken on a role as a weekly volunteer on Koala ward where Jessy was treated, supporting patients and their families through their time in hospital.

Join Jessy, Zak, Rafi and Annabel at RBC Race for the Kids this October – enjoy a wonderful family day out whilst doing your bit for the seriously ill children that depend on Great Ormond Street Hospital.