My little girl’s lazy eye was a symptom of something far more sinister – we had no idea
WHEN mum Emma Williams noticed a change in her daughter’s left eye, she made sure to mention it at her little one’s next routine check-up.
But what the 37-year-old thought to be a lazy eye was much more sinister.
Days after the GP appointment, two-year-old Peggy started to develop ptosis, which is a drooping of the upper eyelid and her eye didn't move.
Her parents then insisted on a further face-to-face appointment with their GP in Corsham, Wiltshire.
Peggy was then referred to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where medics investigated what had caused the change in her eye.
They found no problems with her sight and Peggy then had to have an MRI scan.
The results showed that Peggy had a small lump on the top of her optic nerve.
The family had to go through five months of MRI scans and Peggy also had to have a lumbar puncture to drain excess fluid, and an unsuccessful round of steroids to try to shrink the tumour.
Peggy also had to have a ten-and-a-half hour operation at Bristol Children's Hospital.
Surgeons were unable to remove the mass because of its size and location, and could only take a biopsy.
"What we've had to deal with as a family over the last five years has been incredibly difficult and I've had support for anxiety and depression.”
Emma explained that walking everywhere has given her time to reflect on everything their family has had to endure.
She added: “Taking part in this challenge is so important to us as a family to help others who might be going through something similar.
''If we can help even a small amount and raise awareness then that's all we could ask for."
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "We're sorry to hear about Peggy's diagnosis and what the family has been through over the last few years and we wish them well during Peggy's treatment.
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"It's incredible that Emma is using her 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge to support others who may be going through a similar situation.''
So far Emma has for the charity.