A LITTLE girl and her family have found much-need escapism from her cancer treatment thanks to a charity’s creative ideas.
Pottery and storytelling sessions, provided by Henry Dancer Days, brightened up Lana Nixon’s days during hospital treatment for a brain tumour.
In November 2018, Gemma Haswell and Andrew Nixon, from Hetton-le-Hole, received the heartbreaking news that daughter, Lana, then just two-years-old, had an ATRT cancerous brain tumour.
Lana underwent lifesaving procedures including two partial surgeries, intensive and high dose chemotherapy accompanied by a stem cell transplant.
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She completed that treatment in June 2019 then had to learn how to walk again and was being fed through a gastric peg.
In September 2020, a bit of normality was returning to Lana, then aged four, and her family’s life as she had started Hetton Lyons Nursery and was enjoying being a busy infant.
But a routine scan, a week before Christmas, showed her condition had relapsed with another ATRT brain tumour.
Lana Nixon on Christmas Eve 2020
Lana on Christmas Eve, 2020 - the family enjoyed an emotional Christmas together at home
Within days she underwent surgery and had six weeks of radiotherapy to her brain and spine followed by chemotherapy.
Over the past three years, Lana and her parents have spent a lot of time on Ward 4 at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle. She recently rang the ward’s bell as her condition is now stable, though she still visits hospital most days.
The charity Henry Dancer Days, based at Cornsay, County Durham, supports young cancer patients and their loved ones to experience the wonders of arts, craft and storytelling and Lana has enjoyed regular storytelling sessions and pottery workshops.
Ms Haswell, 37, who has put her career as a pharmacy manager at Chilton Moor Pharmacy on hold to help care for her daughter, said: “When Lana knows it’s pottery day she lights up and eagerly waits to paint presents for her siblings and grandparents.
“It’s so lovely to see Lana happy and smiling, even whilst she isn’t well.
“The visits from the Henry Dancer Days team really brightens up her day and ours.”
Lana Nixon has enjoyed pottery classes and story sessions provided by the charity Henry Dancer Days whilst undergoing treatment for a cancerous brain tumour
Artist Jo Ratcliffe said: “Arts and crafts can provide a rewarding piece of escapism to the often draining routines within daily hospital life. It allows imagination to flow and the brain to re-focus and relax. The parents love having a natter and the change of scenery can be very beneficial.
"We offer a diversion from the procedures and treatments and try to normalise life even if it’s only for a short while.”
Ms Haswell added: “She loves taking part in the arts and crafts activities whilst being in hospital especially the pottery painting with Jo.
“Lana recently made a lovely hand print plate, which is such a beautiful keepsake for us to treasure forever.
“The days can be very long in hospital and activities such as the story book reading and pottery painting really do brighten up our days.
“It’s so heart-warming to see our daughter happy and engaging with other people doing normal childhood activities.
“Lana is so fun loving and happy. She takes everything in her stride; and engages with every activity offered to her whilst in hospital.”
Lana Nixon has enjoyed pottery classes and story sessions provided by the charity Henry Dancer Days whilst undergoing treatment for a cancerous brain tumour
Lana Nixon with her family including parents Gemma and Andrew and siblings Mia, aged 24; Ellie, 20; Neve, aged 18; and Jonah, ten
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