Mum's warning as daughter dies from brain tumour thought to be tummy bug
The family were told she had just six to 12 months to live - but Ava outlived this and passed away nearly two years later - aged 12.
A mum is urging parents to trust their instincts after her daughter's tummy bug turned out to be an inoperable brain tumour.
Jackie Dunlop, 38, became concerned when her daughter, Ava Nelson, then 10, suffered with severe headaches and sickness for three weeks.
She took her to see the GP and went to her local hospital but was told it was a viral infection or a gastric bug. But after the fourth week of Ava feeling unwell, Jackie pushed for more testing.
An MRI revealed a pressure of Ava's brain - caused by a large mass - and she was rushed up to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
She had to have an emergency operation to relieve the pressure and a biopsy a week later revealed Ava had a high grade glioblastoma.
The family were told she had just six to 12 months to live - but Ava outlived this and passed away nearly two years later in April 2024 - aged 12.
Now her mum wants others to trust their gut. Jackie, who previously worked as a carer, from Kilwinning, Ayrshire, said: "We thought it was a sickness bug.
"But going into week three I started to worry. Everyone put it down to a viral sickness bug. Four weeks I had been fighting with doctors.
"The surgeon told us if we didn't fight she'd have been dead withing a week because the pressure was that bad.
"I always say to any mother go with your gut instinct if you feel that something is wrong with your child. If you feel something is wrong then go get them checked.
"If you aren't getting anywhere stand your ground and make sure you get the help and support you need until you have the right answers.
"Mothers know their child best."
Ava started getting headaches, dizzy spells and balance issues in early May 2022. She went to her GP and to her local hospital but it was brushed off as a viral infection.
Jackie wasn't happy and pushed to get her to the children's ward at Crosshouse Hospital. She said: "To look at her you wouldn't know anything was wrong.
"They agreed to do blood tests - Ava then started vomiting. She started declining but the blood tests came back fine. I pushed for a scan."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Ava had an MRI which revealed a mass on her brain. She had to be blue-lighted to Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow on May 31, 2022.
Jackie said: "They told us Ava has severe pressure on her brain. They found a tumour. The pressure was caused by the tumour."
Ava had to have an emergency operation the next day but doctors were unable to remove all of the tumour due to its position.
The biopsy results came back a week later on June 8, 2022 and Ava was diagnosed with cancer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
13 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Terminally ill Wrexham toddler visited by Peppa Pig
Earlier this year, Callie Shaw was tragically diagnosed, aged just 10 months, with a rhabdoid tumour - a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. She spent the next few months in Alder Hey to receive treatment. After undergoing four months of chemotherapy - things appeared to be going well and the tumour was shrinking in size. Callie Shaw and mum, Sarah (Image: Sarah Shaw) However, her family was given the devastating news last month following an MRI scan that Callie's cancer has spread to her lungs - and is now terminal. Callie was given a prognosis of four-six weeks. A GoFundMe page set up to support Callie's family at this very difficult time has raised over £7,000. With her first birthday spent during her time at Alder Hey, family and friends recently organised a party so she could celebrate properly. And on Monday (June 9), she received a surprise visit from Peppa Pig and Chase from Paw Petrol - her and her brother's favourite characters. (Image: Sarah Shaw) The visit was organised by Mold-based Blue Duo Events - which also donated 50 bags of candy floss for Callie's party. Blue Duo Events said on its Facebook page: "As a business, we felt there was more we could do – and this evening, we did just that. We surprised Callie with a visit from her two favourite characters, bringing smiles and joy to her and her family. One of our playful pups also joined in to surprise her little brother, making sure he felt just as special. (Image: Blue Duo Events) "Thank you, Sarah (Callie's mum) for allowing us to visit Callie at home and letting us be part of these precious moments. MORE NEWS: "The Blue Duo team are thinking of you all and sending love during this incredibly difficult time." Sarah Shaw said: "It was amazing to have Peppa Pig come and visit Callie. She absolutely adores Peppa Pig and it was really special. "I want to say a massive thank you to Blue Duo Events - you made memories that will last forever. It means so much to us."
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Boots' £10 cream shoppers say leaves skin 'wrinkle free and looking younger everyday'
Beauty fans will need to act fast if they want to bag this multi-action night cream at the reduced price. Getting wrinkles and lines is a natural part of life. However, that doesn't mean we can't look for ways to smooth them out and make them look less visible. While we can't physically turn back the clock, one cream that is said to work is the Olay Total Effects Anti-Ageing 7in1 Night Firming Moisturiser, and it is currently on offer - but for today only (Tuesday, June 10.) This anti-ageing moisturiser, which is said to leave skin "wrinkle free", is originally worth £16.50, although a 50ml has been included in Boots' £10 Tuesday flash-sale, saving £6.50 off the RRP for a limited time. Unlike many other creams on the market, this one is fairly unique as it targets not one, but seven different signs of ageing. Benefits include a reduction in wrinkles, moisturisation, even skin tone, refined pores, smooth texture, brightness and improved firmness. Infused with niacinamide, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E to enhance the skin's natural renewal process during sleep, shoppers say that they wake up in the morning feeling and looking a little younger every morning. Olay Total Effects Anti-Ageing 7in1 Night Firming Moisturiser, 50ml £16.50 £10 Boots Buy here Product Description As a "fast absorbing" and "non greasy" formula, beauty fans can be rest assured the this cream won't feel heavy on the skin, or leave pores clogged. Another multi-action anti-ageing cream worth adding into a skincare routine is the Kleem Organics Neck & Décolleté Cream (50ml), £22.92 on Amazon, that has been designed to lift, tighten and firm. Elsewhere, Superdrug has slashed 64 percent off the popular L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Line Plumping Water Cream that plumps fine lines and moisturises the skin, with the price now £14.99 after being reduced from £41.99. Beauty buffs looking to take advantage of Boots' flash deal today on the Olay 7-in-1 Cream will be pleased to hear that it has earned a 4.5 rating from loyal users who say it keeps their skin "unwrinkled" and "youthful looking." One positive review read: "I have used Olay for many years from when it used to be called Ulay. I use the day moisturiser and night moisturiser I feel it has kept my skin mostly wrinkle free." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Someone else impressed with the results read: "My partner says I look younger every day, My secret is Olay total effects night cream. is smoothing my wrinkles away. Olay seven in one is the number one, the only one, my one, the one for every one. Thank you Olay, for the skin you give me every day." A similar review read: "Great moisturiser. Easy to apply. Soaks in and doesn't feel greasy. Keeps my skin looking younger." Beauty deal of the week It's almost Father's Day, and are you in need of some gift inspiration? If you don't want to buy a last minute gift, then we have you covered, as a bottle of aftershave is always a good shout and Debenhams has just cut the Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Eau De Toilette from £92 to just £55.20 for a large 100ml bottle. There is also a smaller 60ml bottle that is a bit cheaper, with the price being reduced by 37 per cent from £68 to £43. Since reviews say it "stands out from the crowd", it's a deal worth bagging for dad. Launched in 2006, this YSL fragrance has been described as "a fragrance for the urban and charismatic 21st century male". For the guy in your life who likes to smell a little different, then this is the bottle to reach for. It opens on sparkling notes of bergamot, zesty cedarwood and Chinese ginger that has been met with the middle notes of violet leaves and basil flowers, offering a floral and spicy contrast. It is said to end on base notes of sandalwood, Virginia cedar wood and Haitian vetiver to "highlight this charismatic and magnetic fragrance." Those who want to stand out from the crowd will appreciate the YSL L'Homme Eau De Toilette, as it has earned a 4.7 rating from Debenhams fragrance buffs who have said it is "unusual" and "always gets compliments." One positive review read: "An unusual and outstanding men's perfume! What an interesting fresh yet a hint of spice men's perfume! It's different. Stands out from the crowd. Purchase the Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Eau De Toilette (100ml) in the Debenhams sale here. One shopper did find that the scent of the formula wasn't to their liking, writing: "I like Olay products but unfortunately I cannot stand perfume smells and this product has this." This wasn't the case for everyone, as someone else in a more positive review read: "Its a perfect moisturiser. Goes on well, absorbed easily and leaves skin smooth and soft. The fragrance is just divine and I love it. Everyone thinks I'm like a vampire who never ages!!!" While a devoted fan said: "This is a wonderful product. I have been using it for over 30 years - the only moisturiser I use. I wash in soap and water, and moisturize with Oil of Olay. My skin is still relatively unwrinkled and youthful looking. An excellent product and well worth recommending." here.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Specsavers choose Dumfries for first ever dedicated Scottish audiology unit
The expansion is part a £380,000 investment from the opticians as they celebrate their 30th anniversary in the town centre. Specsavers have opened their first ever dedicated Scottish audiology unit in Dumfries. The expansion is part a £380,000 investment from the opticians as they celebrate their 30th anniversary in the town centre. The new unit is next door to the existing High Street door and the firm hopes to provide optical and hearing care to more than 20,000 customers a year. To mark the occasion, the charity's Bug Ear mascot paid a visit to the store, gift bags were handed out and people were able to enjoy some delicious cupcakes. Audiology director, Thomas Allison, said: 'It's been great to shout about the new tech and being able to offer more appointments locally and really cut down the waiting lists. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'The team has been working hard to get everything in order for the big launch – I'm very proud how what we've been able to achieve here, offering specialist care in the community.' The audiology unit includes two consultation rooms, with the team able to offer services such as microsuction earwax removal, hearing checks and hearing aids. And the refurbishment of the eyecare unit has included installing cutting-edge diagnostic tools, meaning a broader range of NHS and private services can be offered.
