A three-year-old girl who had cancer before she was even born could win an award for her bravery after having a tumour the size of an apple removed from her chest.
Rosalia Daly-Maxwell spent much of her early life visiting doctors with suspected chest infections, unaware that the problems were being caused by a rare tumour.
Last May, while recovering from chicken pox, Rosalia was staying with her grandparents when her breathing became erratic, and her mother, Natalie, rushed her to hospital. Natalie, 22, of Chapelfields Road, Acomb, York, said: “She had test after test through the night, and the following day we received unexpected news that she was being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, to the children’s cancer ward.
“Rosalia was getting worse and worse and was diagnosed with a rare germ cell tumour, which had spread to her lungs.
“They told me the cancer most likely developed during her development in the womb, as the cell was meant to go to her ovaries but implanted in her chest.
“The tumour had pushed her lungs into her rib cage, and one of them wasn’t working at all due to the pressure.”
Rosalia was taken into surgery, where doctors drained 300ml of fluid from her lungs, and then underwent six months of intense chemotherapy.
“She had seven operations, including a seven-hour procedure to remove the remainder of the tumour, which had been shrunk to the size of a large apple.
Rosalia will need regular tests for the rest of her life, to make sure the tumour has not returned, and her parents, Natalie and Robert Maxwell, 36, have now nominated her for Child Of The Year at this year’s Community Pride Awards, because her bravery was an inspiration to them.
Natalie said: “Without her strength and determination, I would not have been able to stay strong throughout the year.
“Despite not being able to breathe, having intense drugs and losing all her hair, she never failed to smile, and while in hospital, was an inspiration to the other children.
“A couple of days after each operation she was up and running around like nothing had happened. Only five days after the operation to remove the tumour and spending two days in the intensive care unit, she was running around causing mischief.
“She’s always a smiling, happy little girl who now is getting her life back and enjoys every minute of it.”
Natalie has also nominated her mother, Maxine Daly of Clifton, in the Parent Of The Year category, for her help and strength throughout Rosalia’s illness: “She was there for us financially when we were struggling, but also emotionally, and would often stay overnight in the LGI with our daughter if I needed to go home for some much needed rest or quality time with Robert.
“Without her, I don’t know what I would have done.
“She’s not just my mum, but also my best friend, and all the way through my life she has been there through the good times and the bad.”
• The Community Pride Awards, run by The Press in conjunction with City of York Council, recognise the unsung heroes that make York special.
If you would like to nominate somebody for one of the awards, submit a nomination online at thepress.co.uk/news/communitypride
All nominations must be received before Friday, July 22, and all nominees must live or be based in the City of York Council area.
All finalists will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October.
Special girl who keeps on smiling
TODAY, we bring you the story of a very special little girl. Rosalia Daly-Maxwell developed cancer before she was born. She spent much of her early life visiting doctors with suspected chest infections. By the time her condition was diagnosed, a tumour in her chest was pressing her lungs against her rib cage.
Rosalia underwent seven operations, including one in which a tumour the size of an apple was removed, and endured six months of chemotherapy. Yet throughout it all the little girl, who is now three, continued smiling.
“A couple of days after each operation, she was up and running around like nothing had happened,” said proud mum Natalie, of Chapelfields Road in Acomb.
For Natalie, her daughter’s courage was an inspiration. It is why she has nominated Rosalia for Child of the Year in this year’s Community Pride Awards.
Natlie has also nominated her mother, Maxine Daly, for her support. This dedicated grandmother would often stay overnight in the Leeds General Infirmary with Rosalia, so Natalie and her husband could get some rest.
It is at times like this that we realise just how important family and friends are. This inspiring story of courage also underlines just how precious our NHS is, however.
It is so easy to take it for granted. Stories like Rosalia’s remind us why we never should. Politicians take note.
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