Latest news with #Esmai
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'An eye test helped reveal my daughter's tumour'
The mother of a girl diagnosed with a brain tumour so large it distorted the shape of her brain says the ordeal has helped her see the importance of children's eye tests. Sophie, 35, from Tean in Staffordshire, took her seven-year-old daughter Esmai to the opticians in January 2024 after she complained she could see spots. They were told there were no problems but a year later Esmai experienced what her mum believed was a "mini seizure". Sophie took her back to the opticians and was told to go straight to A&E. An MRI scan a few days later revealed the large tumour. "I don't think anybody really thinks to take their children for eye tests," Sophie said. "I don't think I would have done unless she said to me she was seeing spots." She added regular eye checks should be as normal as going to the dentist or hairdressers. Esmai had a "considerable" ependymoma growing in her brain and is now undergoing radiotherapy. Her tumour was so big that the central line of her brain had shifted and was curved, her mum said. "They're quite astounded that she didn't have any other difficulties. No headaches, no weight loss, no sickness, no learning troubles – nothing," she said. She added the discovery had made her fear for her daughter's life. "The first thing you think is that your child is going to die. I don't think there are any words to describe [that feeling]." In February, Esmai underwent seven hours of surgery to remove the tumour at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. She has now begun an intensive programme of radiotherapy at the Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Manchester. This involves being pinned to a bed by a special mask before a high-energy beam of protons is sent through her brain, targeting any remaining cancerous cells. Sophie, Esmai, and Sophie's younger daughter Grace, aged two, have temporarily moved into hospital accommodation while Esmai's treatment is ongoing. Being away from home means that Sophie cannot work, and a friend has so far raised £3,000 to support her through a crowdfunding appeal. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Could AI help treat brain tumours in children? The 10-minute test for childhood tumours Opera star calls for boost to brain tumour research Alder Hey Children's Hospital The Proton Bream Therapy Centre
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'An eye test helped reveal my daughter's massive brain tumour'
The mother of a girl diagnosed with a brain tumour so large it distorted the shape of her brain says the ordeal has helped her see the importance of children's eye 35, from Tean in Staffordshire, took her seven-year-old daughter Esmai to the opticians in January 2024 after she complained she could see were told there were no problems but a year later Esmai experienced what her mum believed was a "mini seizure".Sophie took her back to the opticians and was told to go straight to A&E. An MRI scan a few days later revealed the large tumour. "I don't think anybody really thinks to take their children for eye tests," Sophie said."I don't think I would have done unless she said to me she was seeing spots."She added regular eye checks should be as normal as going to the dentist or hairdressers. Esmai had a "considerable" ependymoma growing in her brain and is now undergoing tumour was so big that the central line of her brain had shifted and was curved, her mum said."They're quite astounded that she didn't have any other difficulties. No headaches, no weight loss, no sickness, no learning troubles – nothing," she said. She added the discovery had made her fear for her daughter's life."The first thing you think is that your child is going to die. I don't think there are any words to describe [that feeling]."In February, Esmai underwent seven hours of surgery to remove the tumour at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in has now begun an intensive programme of radiotherapy at the Proton Beam Therapy Centre in involves being pinned to a bed by a special mask before a high-energy beam of protons is sent through her brain, targeting any remaining cancerous Esmai, and Sophie's younger daughter Grace, aged two, have temporarily moved into hospital accommodation while Esmai's treatment is away from home means that Sophie cannot work, and a friend has so far raised £3,000 to support her through a crowdfunding appeal. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Mum urges all parents to do one thing after girl started seeing spots
Mum urges all parents to do one thing after girl started seeing spots Sophie says the routine should 'be normal' for all children Sophie Evans took her daughter Esmai to the opticians after Esmai complained that she could "see spots" (Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved ) The mum of a child diagnosed with a brain tumour so large it distorted the shape of her brain said it 'opened (her) eyes' to the importance of children's eye tests. Sophie Evans, 35, from Tean, near Stoke-on-Trent, took her older daughter Esmai to the opticians in January 2024 after the youngster complained that she could 'see spots'. They were told there were no problems but a year later, when Esmai experienced what looked like 'a mini seizure', Sophie took her back to the opticians and was told to go straight to A&E. An MRI revealed that Esmai had a brain tumour so large it was distorting the shape of her brain. With Esmai now undergoing radiotherapy following a successful operation to remove the tumour, her mum hopes to encourage other parents to take their children's eye health seriously. 'I don't think anybody really thinks to take their children for eye tests,' Sophie told PA Real Life. Article continues below 'I don't think I would have done unless she said to me she was seeing spots. Regular eye checks should be a very normal thing. It should be as normal as going to the hairdressers or going to see a dentist.' In January 2024, Esmai started telling her mum that she was seeing spots. Sophie said: 'I took her to the opticians, and they found that everything was fine.' Esmai holding her younger sister, Grace Throughout 2024, Sophie recalled, Esmai would occasionally see spots, but it did not seem serious. 'We all have it: you rub your eye, or turn from one light to another, and you see spots,' Sophie said. 'Then at one point, she was walking towards me and her pupils went really small and she just zoned out. 'Then they suddenly shot really big, and she went, 'oh, sorry Mom, I just saw spots again.' To me, that looked like a mini seizure.' Sophie took Esmai back to the opticians in January 2025. They identified swelling at the back of Esmai's eyes and on her optic nerves, and said she should go to A&E immediately. An MRI scan a few days later confirmed that Esmai had a 'considerable' ependymoma growing in her brain. 'The tumour had actually grown so big over this time that the central line (of her brain) had shifted and curved,' Sophie said. 'They're quite astounded that she didn't have any other difficulties. No headaches, no weight loss, no sickness, no learning troubles – nothing. 'She should have had something wrong.' As a parent, Sophie said: 'The first thing you think is that your child is going to die. I don't think there are any words to describe (that feeling).' In February, Esmai underwent a seven-hour-long surgery to remove the tumour at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, which went 'brilliantly'. She has now begun an intensive programme of radiotherapy at the Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Manchester. This involves being 'pinned' to a bed by a special mask before a high-energy beam of protons is sent through her brain, targeting any remaining cancerous cells. According to a recent study published by the Society for Neuro-Oncology, the kind of ependymoma that Esmai has comes with a roughly 35% chance of relapse within 10 years. Sophie explained: 'With cancer, whether you get free of it or not, it never leaves you, because you just don't know if it's ever going to come back. If it does, because of the strength and the type, it will be harder to get rid of. We might not be so lucky next time.' Esmai has been responding to treatment well, but Sophie is still worried about the effect this experience may have on her. 'She's blocked a lot of it out,' Sophie explained. 'But she does get very anxious now. She'll say to me, 'I'm feeling worried, and I don't really know why.' Esmai is now losing her hair in the area targeted by her radiotherapy treatment 'It'll happen at random times of the day, maybe when she's having fun or something, she'll just suddenly go a little bit withdrawn.' Sophie said Esmai 'loves outdoor things' and is 'very girly'. She added: 'She's quite ahead of her time. I think she's desperate to be older than what she is. She quite fancies herself as a teenager.' Esmai will be undergoing treatment on her eighth birthday, May 12. Sophie, Esmai, and Sophie's younger daughter Grace, aged two, have temporarily moved into hospital accommodation in Manchester while Esmai's treatment is ongoing. 'It's a little bit difficult with having a two-year-old. She thinks she's on holiday – she's having a great time,' Sophie said. As a hairdresser, being away from home for the duration of Esmai's treatment means that Sophie cannot work. A friend and neighbour, Lisa, has raised more than £3,000 through a GoFundMe to support Sophie while Esmai is undergoing treatment. Sophie said she initially found it 'embarrassing' to share Esmai's story on GoFundMe, and only allowed Lisa to post it on the condition that it highlighted the importance of eye tests for children. Now, she said, she is 'grateful' for the opportunity to give Esmai some 'happy experiences' while her treatment continues. 'I've been able to take her out to the Sea Life Centre and bowling, and without it I wouldn't have been able to do that,' she said. 'It means it's not going to be just bad memories.' Article continues below The fundraiser for Esmai can be found at:
The Independent
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Girl, 9, had tumour so large it distorted shape of her brain
A child was diagnosed with a tumour so large it distorted the shape of her brain - with her mother now 'opening her eyes' to the importance of children 's eye tests. When Sophie Evans's older daughter, Esmai, complained of seeing spots in January 2024, the concerned mother took the youngster to an optician near their home in Tean, close to Stoke-on-Trent. Initially, no issues were detected. However, a year later, a frightening incident resembling a "mini seizure" prompted Evans to return to the opticians with Esmai. This time, the advice was far more urgent: go straight to A&E. Subsequent tests revealed a shocking diagnosis - Esmai had a brain tumour, so large it was distorting the shape of her brain. Following a successful operation to remove the tumour, Esmai is now undergoing radiotherapy. This ordeal has been a stark reminder for Evans about the importance of children's eye health. She now hopes to share her experience to encourage other parents to prioritise their children's vision and seek prompt medical attention if any concerns arise. Evans's vigilance ultimately saved her daughter's life, proving that sometimes, a seemingly small symptom can mask a serious underlying condition. 'I don't think anybody really thinks to take their children for eye tests,' Sophie told PA Real Life. 'I don't think I would have done unless she said to me she was seeing spots. 'Regular eye checks should be a very normal thing. It should be as normal as going to the hairdressers or going to see a dentist.' In January 2024, Esmai started telling her mum that she was seeing spots. Sophie said: 'I took her to the opticians, and they found that everything was fine.' Throughout 2024, Sophie recalled, Esmai would occasionally see spots, but it did not seem serious. 'We all have it: you rub your eye, or turn from one light to another, and you see spots,' Sophie said. 'Then at one point, she was walking towards me and her pupils went really small and she just zoned out. 'Then they suddenly shot really big, and she went, 'oh, sorry Mom, I just saw spots again.' 'To me, that looked like a mini seizure.' Sophie took Esmai back to the opticians in January 2025. They identified swelling at the back of Esmai's eyes and on her optic nerves, and said she should go to A&E immediately. An MRI scan a few days later confirmed that Esmai had a 'considerable' ependymoma growing in her brain. 'The tumour had actually grown so big over this time that the central line (of her brain) had shifted and curved,' Sophie said. 'They're quite astounded that she didn't have any other difficulties. 'No headaches, no weight loss, no sickness, no learning troubles – nothing. 'She should have had something wrong.' As a parent, Sophie said: 'The first thing you think is that your child is going to die. 'I don't think there are any words to describe (that feeling).' In February, Esmai underwent a seven-hour-long surgery to remove the tumour at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, which went 'brilliantly'. She has now begun an intensive programme of radiotherapy at the Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Manchester. This involves being 'pinned' to a bed by a special mask before a high-energy beam of protons is sent through her brain, targeting any remaining cancerous cells. According to a recent study published by the Society for Neuro-Oncology, the kind of ependymoma that Esmai has comes with a roughly 35% chance of relapse within 10 years. Sophie explained: 'With cancer, whether you get free of it or not, it never leaves you, because you just don't know if it's ever going to come back. 'If it does, because of the strength and the type, it will be harder to get rid of. 'We might not be so lucky next time.' Esmai has been responding to treatment well, but Sophie is still worried about the effect this experience may have on her. 'She's blocked a lot of it out,' Sophie explained. 'But she does get very anxious now. She'll say to me, 'I'm feeling worried, and I don't really know why.' 'It'll happen at random times of the day, maybe when she's having fun or something, she'll just suddenly go a little bit withdrawn.' Sophie said Esmai 'loves outdoor things' and is 'very girly'. She added: 'She's quite ahead of her time. 'I think she's desperate to be older than what she is. She quite fancies herself as a teenager.' Esmai will be undergoing treatment on her eighth birthday, May 12. Sophie, Esmai, and Sophie's younger daughter Grace, aged two, have temporarily moved into hospital accommodation in Manchester while Esmai's treatment is ongoing. 'It's a little bit difficult with having a two-year-old. She thinks she's on holiday – she's having a great time,' Sophie said. As a hairdresser, being away from home for the duration of Esmai's treatment means that Sophie cannot work. A friend and neighbour, Lisa, has raised more than £3,000 through a GoFundMe to support Sophie while Esmai is undergoing treatment. Sophie said she initially found it 'embarrassing' to share Esmai's story on GoFundMe, and only allowed Lisa to post it on the condition that it highlighted the importance of eye tests for children. Now, she said, she is 'grateful' for the opportunity to give Esmai some 'happy experiences' while her treatment continues. 'I've been able to take her out to the Sea Life Centre and bowling, and without it I wouldn't have been able to do that,' she said. 'It means it's not going to be just bad memories.'
Boston Globe
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Where to eat along the Boston Marathon route next Monday
Cheer on the runners with live music and activities like sign-making at Jack's Abby Marathon Fest in the brewery's Framingham location. The free fun starts at 10 a.m. outside in the parking lot, and runs until 2 p.m., and the beer hall itself will stay open until 4 p.m. To celebrate the marathon, and Boston's fighting spirit, the brewery is releasing (and pouring) Boston Rising, a double hoppy lager, all day long. Advertisement 100 Clinton St., Framingham, 508-872-0900, Get Winter Soup Club A six-week series featuring soup recipes and cozy vibes, plus side dishes and toppings, to get us all through the winter. Enter Email Sign Up At Esmai, the fried chicken on milk bread. Esmai's Restaurant & Bar Grab a prime viewing spot in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows at this Coolidge Corner restaurant. Esmai's will be serving Euro-Asian bites such as bulgogi empanadas and fried chicken on Japanese milk bread on the first and second floor of the restaurant. Open from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. on Marathon Monday, Esmai's has a full bar and excellent craft cocktails. 1306 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-232-8808, Barcelona Wine Bar Enjoy tapas and sip Spanish wine right on the marathon route at this Brookline wine bar. It's opening early on Marathon Monday, at 11 a.m., and offering a brunch menu heavy on cheese and charcuterie until 3 p.m. The restaurant has a patio by the street, perfect for watching and cheering on the runners (but you may want to make a reservation). 1700 Beacon St., Brookline, Advertisement Brunch at Eastern Standard. Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drink Get up bright and early to watch runners near the 25-mile mark on Beacon Street at Eastern Standard, which opens at 8 a.m. on Marathon Monday. The restaurant will serve breakfast specials and menu classics, and you can pop in and out to take in the race, or just post up at the bar for a Bloody Mary and watch the excitement on TV. 775 Beacon St., Boston, 617-530-1590, Outside Atlantic Fish. Atlantic Fish Co. Catch all the action at Atlantic's scenic Boylston Street patio while mingling and enjoying an impressive feast, including a continental breakfast spread. As the day goes on, enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres, a chef carving station, and a buffet featuring gourmet sandwiches, an array of seasonal salads, and a raw bar brimming with seafood. The cash bar will be serving some specialty cocktails for this Rochambeau The stylish Boylston Street bistro will open at 9 a.m. to celebrate the marathon, including a special holiday menu. On the menu? Savory soups, salads, pastas, lobster mac and cheese, fresh scallops, sea bass, chicken, and the restaurant's famous steak. 900 Boylston St., Boston, 617-247-0400, Buttermilk & Bourbon Famous for decadent Southern-style Sunday brunches, you can enjoy Jason Santos creations on a weekday when it's Patriots Day. The restaurant will open at 9 a.m. with its signature brunch menu, plus specials like fried Ipswich clams, cast-iron baked meatballs, and a special Marathon Twist ice cream. 160 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-266-1122, Advertisement Stroll in to OAK Long Bar + Kitchen all weekend for specials like baked lasagna with short rib bolognese. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen The Fairmont Copley Plaza's historic restaurant is just past the finish line and an ideal spot to break bread after the race. Stroll in all weekend for specials like hearth baked lasagna with short rib bolognese, and the 26.3 cocktail (made with Sam Adams and spice pear liqueur), named for the restaurant's location just 0.1 mile past the finish line. 138 St. James Ave., Boston, 617-585-7222, La Padrona Just a quick walk from the finish line, The chowder at Legal Sea Foods. Galdones Photography Special deals for runners Legal Sea Foods Prezza The North End staple is celebrating runners with a well-earned reward. On Monday, any Boston Marathon runner who purchases a Stella Artois will receive a complimentary small Gnocchi Bolognese, a house-made comfort classic. The restaurant will open at 3 p.m. to celebrate the day and serve until 9 p.m. 24 Fleet St., Boston, 617-227-1577, The giant TV screen inside Banners Kitchen & Tap on Causeway Street. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff Banners Kitchen & Tap Catch every step of the race from start to finish on Boston's largest TV at Banners. The restaurant and sports bar will be offering a 26.2 percent discount off all food items for runners who show their bib. The Marathon Monday discount is valid on April 21 from noon through 7 p.m. 82 Causeway St., Boston, Advertisement Blue Ribbon Brasserie The Kenmore Square bistro is offering a $26.20 special all day on Patriots Day, for runners, Red Sox fans, and hungry Bostonians. Celebrate with the restaurant's burger deluxe and a Jack's Abby House Lager. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-634-0404, Tanya Edwards can be reached at
