A MUM whose two-year-old daughter died after been given the all-clear from cancer has urged parents to follow their instincts and press for a second opinion if concerned for their child’s health.
Kelly Goodlad, 34, spoke as she prepares to stage a fundraiser for the charity CLIC Sargent, which helped her with financial and emotional support through the final illness and death of daughter Mia.
Her ordeal began with her mother’s death as a result of cancer last December. Kelly said: “Mia appeared to have a cold in one eye. Just before my mother died she was adamant I should get Mia checked out.
“Three days after mum's funeral I took Mia to hospital in Sunderland and was sent straight to the eye hospital in Birmingham, where, the next day, she was diagnosed with retinal blastoma in her left eye.
“We were told her eye had to be removed immediately, which happened three days before Christmas. She had a false eye, and it was all very traumatic.
“The operation was followed by chemotherapy. Mia was a real trooper through all of this. The all-clear bell was rung in March and we went on holiday because we thought everything was over with.”
She added: “In July, I took Mia for a routine check-up and told them I was concerned she was not alright. But three people told me I was just a worried mum and that it was understandable and she was absolutely fine.
“Five days later she had a seizure at home we took her to hospital where they found she had two brain tumours and a coating across her entire brain. She died four days later.”
Kelly said: “If someone tells you are a just a worried mum, just go for a second or third opinion. Just keep pushing it.”
She added: “My daughter Madison, 12, has been my rock through all of this.”
Kelly, from Peterlee, praised CLIC Sargent for helping her with necessities and somewhere to stay during Mia’s final days, while also helping cover the costs of Mia's Princess-themed funeral.
Kelly has teamed up with pub manager Laurence Mason to stage a charity day at the Black Bull pub in Old Shotton, Peterlee, on Saturday, October 26.
Mr Mason said: “We are all a family here and we regard her as one of our own. Her bravery has been very inspiring.”
The event, supported by local businesses, will feature children’s events, including a fancy dress competition, games, disco, face painting and pony rides from 4pm to 7pm and music for adults from local band Little Peculiar, busker Jeffrey Butterfield, solo artist Mark Robinson and Mark Roach, from 7pm onwards.
There will be a raffle and donations will be taken.
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