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The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
My Taliyah's vomiting was fobbed off as a ‘strawberry allergy' but now I'm fighting to keep her alive
SOPHIE Whitworth took her daughter Taliyah to the GP when the five-year-old began vomiting twice a week after eating strawberries. "I just listened to the doctors and thought, 'it's probably strawberries then' but in my gut I knew something wasn't right," said the 33-year-old from Yorkshire, said. 6 Taliyah Whitworth's vomiting was blamed on her strawberry addiction (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News 6 The vomiting was a warning sign of a massive brain tumour (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News Six months later, Taliyah was diagnosed with a brain tumour which Sophie says has since 'completely changed her character' and 'destroyed her brain'. The mum-of-two claims doctors repeatedly "fobbed off" her concerns, brushing them aside as a possible strawberry This was until she demanded a scan in 2018, when Taliyah collapsed at school. The fruit-loving tot had been scoffing a punnet of strawberries each night, so Sophie initially assumed she'd eaten too many and cut them out of her diet. Read more on brain tumour But despite the change, the Taliyah also started complaining of painful Sophie says she took her daughter to the GP numerous times over six months, only to be told it was probably a "virus" and to give her Calpol. 'When it got really bad, I took her to hospital,' said Sophie. Most read in Health She addded: 'They made her walk in a straight line, she was wobbling and cross-eyed but they still insisted nothing was wrong. "One day the school rang and said she'd fallen asleep and wasn't waking up properly. Brain Tumour facts: 10 things you should know about brain tumours "That's when I rushed her to hospital and demanded a scan." Security were called when Sophie refused to leave. Eventually doctors agreed to do tests and found a 'I knew they were going to find something,' she said. "I just flooded into tears because it was a shock. I couldn't console myself for a good minute. "I saw the scan and [the tumour] was massive." Taliyah was blue-lighted to another hospital where she had surgery to insert a shunt, followed by a gruelling 14-hour operation to remove the tumour. 6 Taliyah's mum says the cancer has 'completely changed' her daughter's personality (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News 6 The family have received heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned and is no longer treatable (Pictured: Taliyah with her mum, Sophie) Credit: Kennedy News 6 Now 12, Taliyah went through 30 rounds of radiotherapy and nine months of chemotherapy in 2018 (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News "After the operation is] when I always say I lost my little girl as she did not come out the same," Sophie said "I was dealing with grief. She came out and couldn't walk, talk or eat. She was a different character and it really destroyed her brain," she added. Taliyah, now 12, went through 30 rounds of radiotherapy and nine months of chemotherapy in 2018. For years, the family hoped she was in the clear until earlier this month [May 3 2025], Sophie received heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned and was no longer treatable. What is medulloblastoma? Medulloblastoma is the second most common type of brain tumour in children. It develops at the back of the brain in the cerebellum and is fast-spreading. Around 52 children are diagnosed with medulloblastoma every year in the UK. Adults can also get it, but this is rare. Symptoms often develop over several months and may not be noticeable until the cancer has spread. These include: Headaches (particularly in the morning) Feeling or being sick Double vision Finding it hard to sit or stand unsupported (children might fall backwards) Problems walking Stumbling, falling and general clumsiness Being irritable (kids might take longer than usual to settle) Appetite loss Behaviour changes (children might interact with their siblings less) Increased head size A swollen or soft spot on the top of the skull On average, around 85 per cent of children diagnosed with medulloblastoma survive for at least five years. Source: 'She has cerebral palsy and bell's palsy and she's got kidney problems and hearing problems,' said Sophie. 'She didn't eat for three years. The mum said she first thought something was "brewing again" when her daughter's mood got worse and she started suffering from fatigue and neck pain. Doctors confirmed the tumour had returned and spread and could not be operated on. You know your own child so if you think there's something not right, you need to push that. Listen to your gut instinct Sophie Whitworth 33 They offered low-dose chemotherapy to prolong her life, but not cure the disease. Sophie is now refusing further hospital treatment and is raising £200,000 to fund at-home care and alternative therapies including a £10,000 'I don't want to put her through chemo again. I've done so much research and I believe there are holistic ways that can help,' she said. 'She's struggling as it is. I want to keep her home, where she's comfortable. I'm a mother crying out for help. This is my last resort.' 6 The mum is urging other parents to 'trust their gut' when it comes to their children (Pictured: Taliyah with her younger brother) Credit: Kennedy News Now Sophie is urging other parents to push for answers if they feel something is wrong. "Definitely push and demand and don't ever take no for an answer. You have a right to push it forward," she said. "You know your own child so if you think there's something not right, you need to push that. Listen to your gut instinct."
Sunday World
7 days ago
- Health
- Sunday World
Grateful family raise funds for IPATS for help saving baby girl's life
"She went downhill so fast. You nearly wouldn't believe it. She was only 13-months-old at the time,' said Geraldine O'Shea. Geraldine and Brendan O'Shea with their little girl Nell (16 months). The couple are fundraising for the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS) who helped save their daughter's life. Nell O'Shea is now 16-months-old, a happy little girl who is the light of her parents life, so it's hard to believe that just three months ago her life hung in the balance after contracting sepsis. The nightmare for Kerry couple Brendan and Geraldine O'Shea began on February 21 when their daughter was rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) and was taken to theatre to be ventilated. Just a day previously she had a temperature but her mother was told to give her Calpol as she had a virus – 24 hours later she was battling for her life. "She went downhill so fast. You nearly wouldn't believe it. She was only 13-months-old at the time,' said Geraldine who is an SNA at Scoil Dar Earca in Valentia. Ultimately, it turned out Nell was in critical condition and had to be transferred to Crumlin Children's Hospital. Geraldine and Brendan O'Shea with Nell. "We didn't think she would make it to Dublin. Her life hung in the balance,' explained Geraldine. The Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS) was called and tasked with transferring Nell from Cork to Crumlin. Unfortunately, neither Brendan nor Geraldine could travel with their daughter despite the danger she faced. "We had to put her in the ambulance and put our trust in them. They were so professional and reassuring,' recalls Geraldine. IPATS supports the transfer of critically ill infants and children to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin or Temple Street Children's University Hospital and their role in helping Nell was vital. Nell O'Shea from Cahersiveen. At the time it was a service Geraldine had never heard of but it was to play a key role in Nell's care over the coming days as she was later transferred to Kings College Hospital in London as she was into liver failure and a transplant could only be undertaken in the UK. Geraldine and Brendan found themselves in a living nightmare as their daughter battled for life. "It was like out-of-body experience...I don't think we have processed it yet, you just go into auto-pilot.' Fortunately, it was a happy ending as after three weeks in hospital Nell recovered. She ultimately didn't need a transplant and has bounced back from her ordeal. Geraldine and Brendan O'Shea with their little girl Nell (16 months). The couple are fundraising for the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS) who helped save their daughter's life. News in 90 Seconds - May 29th During that time the community in Cahersiveen also rallied around the O'Shea family with special Masses held locally to pray for her recovery and hundreds of messages of support. This kindness will never be forgotten by Geraldine or Brendan and nor will the role IPATS played in saving their daughter's life. For this reason they are hosting a fundraising walk this Sunday, June 1, at the Fair Field in Cahersiveen to raise funds to buy equipment for the service. It is not a registered charity, so instead of handing over the funds raised Geraldine will buy the equipment they need. The community in Cahersiveen held a special mass for Nell O'Shea who was in a critical condition after contracting Sepsis. Now she is healthy and well her family want to say thank you. "Nell is amazing. She went down so fast but it is amazing how fast she recovered too. She is doing great,' said Geraldine. 'Now we want to say thanks for helping save our daughter. We are eternally grateful to IPATS, they saved Nell. We owe them our baby's life,' she said. "If we didn't have them I don't know what would have happened.' Geraldine also thanked all the medical professionals in CUH and in Crumlin and Kings in London who rallied to help their daughter. And she is so thankful to the people of Cahersiveen for their kindness. She is now urging everyone to support their fundraising walk and GoFundMe page to help IPATS. "It has been in my head to give back. When you go through something like this you are praying and asking for help but you forget to say thanks,' she said. Though the nightmare for the O'Sheas is still very raw, Nell is thriving and they hope to ensure others have a good outcome like they did. The walk will take place at 11am this Sunday and more information can be found on the GoFundMe Page. To date over €6,000 has been raised on the GoFundMe which Geraldine says she is 'blown away' by and she is now hoping more will be raised for such a vital service.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
My Taliyah's vomiting was fobbed off as a ‘strawberry allergy' but now I'm fighting to keep her alive
SOPHIE Whitworth took her daughter Taliyah to the GP when the five-year-old began vomiting twice a week after eating strawberries. "I just listened to the doctors and thought, 'it's probably strawberries then' but in my gut I knew something wasn't right," said the 33-year-old from Yorkshire, said. 6 Taliyah Whitworth's vomiting was blamed on her strawberry addiction (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News 6 The vomiting was a warning sign of a massive brain tumour (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News Six months later, Taliyah was diagnosed with a brain tumour which Sophie says has since 'completely changed her character' and 'destroyed her brain'. The mum-of-two claims doctors repeatedly "fobbed off" her concerns, brushing them aside as a possible strawberry allergy. This was until she demanded a scan in 2018, when Taliyah collapsed at school. The fruit-loving tot had been scoffing a punnet of strawberries each night, so Sophie initially assumed she'd eaten too many and cut them out of her diet. But despite the change, the vomiting continued. Taliyah also started complaining of painful headaches, became moody, and had trouble with her balance. Sophie says she took her daughter to the GP numerous times over six months, only to be told it was probably a "virus" and to give her Calpol. 'When it got really bad, I took her to hospital,' said Sophie. She addded: 'They made her walk in a straight line, she was wobbling and cross-eyed but they still insisted nothing was wrong. "One day the school rang and said she'd fallen asleep and wasn't waking up properly. Brain Tumour facts: 10 things you should know about brain tumours "That's when I rushed her to hospital and demanded a scan." Security were called when Sophie refused to leave. Eventually doctors agreed to do tests and found a medulloblastoma the size of a tennis ball in the back of Taliyah's head. 'I knew they were going to find something,' she said. "I just flooded into tears because it was a shock. I couldn't console myself for a good minute. "I saw the scan and [the tumour] was massive." Taliyah was blue-lighted to another hospital where she had surgery to insert a shunt, followed by a gruelling 14-hour operation to remove the tumour. 6 Taliyah's mum says the cancer has 'completely changed' her daughter's personality (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News 6 The family have received heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned and is no longer treatable (Pictured: Taliyah with her mum, Sophie) Credit: Kennedy News 6 Now 12, Taliyah went through 30 rounds of radiotherapy and nine months of chemotherapy in 2018 (Pictured: Taliyah) Credit: Kennedy News "After the operation is] when I always say I lost my little girl as she did not come out the same," Sophie said "I was dealing with grief. She came out and couldn't walk, talk or eat. She was a different character and it really destroyed her brain," she added. Taliyah, now 12, went through 30 rounds of radiotherapy and nine months of chemotherapy in 2018. For years, the family hoped she was in the clear until earlier this month [May 3 2025], Sophie received heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned and was no longer treatable. What is medulloblastoma? Medulloblastoma is the second most common type of brain tumour in children. It develops at the back of the brain in the cerebellum and is fast-spreading. Around 52 children are diagnosed with medulloblastoma every year in the UK. Adults can also get it, but this is rare. Symptoms often develop over several months and may not be noticeable until the cancer has spread. These include: Headaches (particularly in the morning) Feeling or being sick Double vision Finding it hard to sit or stand unsupported (children might fall backwards) Problems walking Stumbling, falling and general clumsiness Being irritable (kids might take longer than usual to settle) Appetite loss Behaviour changes (children might interact with their siblings less) Increased head size A swollen or soft spot on the top of the skull On average, around 85 per cent of children diagnosed with medulloblastoma survive for at least five years. Source: Cancer Research UK and Brain Tumour Research 'She has cerebral palsy and bell's palsy and she's got kidney problems and hearing problems,' said Sophie. 'She didn't eat for three years. The mum said she first thought something was "brewing again" when her daughter's mood got worse and she started suffering from fatigue and neck pain. Doctors confirmed the tumour had returned and spread and could not be operated on. You know your own child so if you think there's something not right, you need to push that. Listen to your gut instinct Sophie Whitworth They offered low-dose chemotherapy to prolong her life, but not cure the disease. Sophie is now refusing further hospital treatment and is raising £200,000 to fund at-home care and alternative therapies including a £10,000 oxygen chamber. 'I don't want to put her through chemo again. I've done so much research and I believe there are holistic ways that can help,' she said. 'She's struggling as it is. I want to keep her home, where she's comfortable. I'm a mother crying out for help. This is my last resort.' 6 The mum is urging other parents to 'trust their gut' when it comes to their children (Pictured: Taliyah with her younger brother) Credit: Kennedy News Now Sophie is urging other parents to push for answers if they feel something is wrong. "Definitely push and demand and don't ever take no for an answer. You have a right to push it forward," she said. "You know your own child so if you think there's something not right, you need to push that. Listen to your gut instinct."
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
MP's chilling message over NHS dentistry – 'it's abandonment not healthcare'
Mirror's Dentists for All campaign has been praised in the House of Commons debate as an MP blamed a 'conspiracy of silence' around the crisis in getting an NHS dentist MPs have told how their constituents are having their lives blighted by oral health problems because they cannot get an NHS dentist. A debate in the House of Commons heard about children suffering agonising toothache and a woman in her 40s losing half her teeth. Labour backbench MP Melanie Onn MP was granted a Parliamentary debate on the crisis and paid tribute to the Mirror 's Dentists for All campaign. Ms Onn said: 'Currently one in three people in deprived areas experience tooth decay. This is a shocking statistic that simply must be addressed. Over 260,000 people have signed a petition led by the British Dental Association, the Women's Institute and the Daily Mirror calling on the Government to urgently deliver on their promise to reform NHS dentistry. This demand could not be more urgent. 'Catherine, one of many constituents who have written to me with issues around dental provision locally, had been with her dentist for over a decade. During the pandemic a simple missed appointment, that was cancelled by the surgery itself, saw her removed from her regular appointments. She has since been unable to join other practices and told that waiting lists will take two years. 'In the meantime she has suffered devastating deterioration to her oral health, losing all of her back teeth, suffering an infected crown, bridge and facing the real fear of losing her top teeth too. Catherine is only in her 40s. She was quoted £14,000 privately for treatment. She simply cannot afford that. She has had to endure constant pain that no-one should have to bear.' Currently the NHS budget for England is only enough for around half of the population to get treated. The 'flawed' NHS payment contract sees dentists make a loss on some procedures and has caused an exodus to the private sector. Contract reform is a key demand of the Mirror campaign which is putting pressure on the Treasury to fully fund the service after over a decade of real terms cuts under the Tories. Chris Webb, Labour MP for Blackpool South, told the Commons: 'Anyone who has had tooth ache knows the unbearable agony in those moments. There's nothing worse. But imagine watching your four-year-old child suffer that same pain, and imagine that they can't be helped. This was the reality of my constituent Louise, a single mum. 'Louise got in touch with me at breaking point to watch her son suffer through constant distress, crying in agony, unable to sleep, refusing to eat. When she managed to see an emergency dentist she was told he would need between four and eight teeth extracted but the wait time for the procedure was up to two years. Louise was left with no choice but to manage her son's pain with Calpol. That's not healthcare. It's abandonment.' The £3 billion NHS dentistry budget for England is only enough to treat around half of the population. Some 13 million people are living with an 'unmet need' for dental care according to official data. Recent polling suggested that among those who could not get an NHS dental appointment, 26% performed DIY dentistry such as yanking out their own teeth and 19% went abroad for treatment. Lizzi Collinge, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: 'We don't have to look far to see the root of the problem. I speak, dentists have been telling us for years that the NHS dental contract is not fit for purpose. The contract creates perverse incentives that's also discouraged from treating the patients who need them the most.' Dr Andrew Murrison, Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire, said: 'There's been a conspiracy of silence all these years over NHS dentistry. What the Government has to get to grips with is whether it intends that dentistry should continue to be a universal part of our NHS or not, and whether it's going to be exempted from the universality that has characterised the provision of health care services in this country since 1948. 'What I am recommending to the minister is that we are each honest with the public because at the moment we have this pretence around NHS dentistry that says 'of course you have the right to have your teeth fixed at no cost to you'. In reality, in most parts of the country, mine included, that is a complete fiction.' Lack of funding and the outdated payment system means most dental practices are no longer accepting new adult patients. The incoming Labour government had promised to reform the dental contract but negotiations have been held up by the Treasury which has been reluctant to commit to a substantial funding boost. Responding on behalf of the Government, health minister Karin Smyth said: 'Let's be clear there are no perfect pay models and careful consideration is being given to any changes to the complex dental system so that we deliver genuine improvements for patients and the profession. 'It is an immense challenge. There are no quick fixes and no easy answers, but people across the country deserve better access and we're determined to make that happen. Rescuing NHS dentistry will not happen overnight. It will take time, investment and reform, but improving access to NHS digital is key to our mission to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future."
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
‘My star child went to sleep and never woke up': NI mum's heart charity fundraiser in memory of son
Nikki Fitzsimons, from Downpatrick, lost her only child Callum to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) in April 2022. He had complained about feeling slightly unwell the previous evening after, experiencing a sore head and lights hurting his eyes following a family walk up Sawel Mountain. 'I gave him Calpol as he had a temperature and lay with him for a bit before I went to bed,' Nikki recalled. 'The next morning my sister, who lives nearby, came over to my house and went straight up to Callum's room to see him. The next thing I remember is hearing her shouting and wailing. I knew something was seriously wrong.' Realising that Callum was unconscious, the distraught mum immediately began CPR and phoned an ambulance. Paramedics took over, but within minutes of their arrival, Nikki was told her son could not be resuscitated. 'They just said 'he's gone' and that they had tried everything to save his life,' she said. 'I was in complete shock and devastation, feeling absolutely numb and shaking all over.' 'Callum loved science and learning all about space. I called him my star child' SADS occurs when someone unexpectedly dies from cardiac arrest, but it's not clear what the cause is. The rhythm of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses which, if interrupted, can cause it to beat abnormally. The condition, known as an arrhythmia, which can be hard to confirm in post-mortem examinations, can be dangerous and lead to a heart attack. SADS affects around 500 people in the UK every year. Three years after Callum's death, his mum is still struggling to come to terms with how he died. 'Callum was a bright, funny and kind wee boy, very popular with his peers and within the community,' she said. 'He had high-functioning autism and absolutely loved science and learning all about space and teleportation. I called him my star child.' Nikki has decided to organise a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation NI (BHFNI) to support continued research on heart conditions to stop other families from having to endure the same pain she has faced. 'We miss Callum as much as ever and are still looking for answers,' she explained. 'The work the BHFNI is doing in raising awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young is so important. This will sadly happen again to other families, but as a family we want to raise money for BHFNI to fund the research that will save lives.' Nikki is now expecting her second. 'I'm 28 weeks pregnant and I believe that Callum is sending us his little sister,' she said. 'We're so excited, she's due in August and we're going to call her Chance, as it feels like we're being given a second chance to be a family again.' It would have been Callum's 16th birthday on Thursday and Nikki is planning a family fun day on Saturday. She will be at Dunleath Playing Fields in Downpatrick from 2pm to raise funds for BHFNI by hosting activities that Callum would have loved. 'For Callum's 16th birthday, we wanted to do something special as it's a milestone birthday,' Nikki explained. 'We have organised lots of fun activities. The dad of Callum's school friend is doing a reptile show. We have a gaming van as Callum was a big fan of VR and gaming. Callum was a Liverpool FC fan, so for one of the prizes we've organised a trip to Liverpool with £500 spending money. 'Lots of the shops in Downpatrick have supported the event, which is fantastic.' It's hoped the fun day will keep Callum's memory alive and everyone is invited to offer whatever they can 'for this amazing cause'. News Catch Up - Wednesday 21 May 'Every penny counts towards saving lives,' Nikki said. Donations can also be made online through a JustGiving page which has been set up.
