Mum thought four-year-old was faking sick to get off school - then doctors gave a heartbreaking diagnosis
When four-year-old Farihah complained of a painful sensation in her leg, her mother thought it was an excuse to skip school.
But the truth turned out to be much worse as the youngster, from East London, was later diagnosed with a rare illness that would no doubt be any parent's worst nightmare.
Now 18, Farihah explained her symptoms started as unexplained wounds on her body, as well as alarmingly heavy nosebleeds that would come out of nowhere.
Then, during her second week of reception, she complained to her mother of a pain in her right leg, after feeling like she couldn't walk.
'My mum thought it was an excuse not to go to school, but I generally couldn't walk. That's when my mum thought there was something wrong,' she told the Mirror.
Farihah visited her local GP before undergoing further tests, but nothing could have prepared the family for the tragedy that followed.
In October 2011, the little girl was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare type of cancer.
Did something similar happen to YOU? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk
'They told my family, while I was sitting outside with my uncle, and they were really heartbroken,' Farihah said.
'At the time, I was confused, but I also felt relieved in a sense, because I knew that I was being treated. I had been feeling ill for so long.'
Farihah started an intense two-year course of chemotherapy treatment, which made her hair fall out three times and caused trouble walking.
In 2013, the little girl and her family were told her intense course of treatment had ended - greeted with the news by a large banner with her name on it at the hospital.
While it was around 14 years ago, Farihah said she is still grateful for the care she received at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
Today, the 18-year-old said she has remained cancer free and is sitting her A-Levels, with dreams of going to university to study film.
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