Why it can be hard to convince the professionals
The Press Association reports a case in which a worried mother was able to convince her child’s doctors to agree to a brain scan – but only after a fortnight of multiple appointments and the child’s worsening illness.
Carly Hornbuckle was told four-year-old daughter Bella Flint’s condition was nothing serious. But the worried 25-year-old did her homework online and realised Bella could be suffering from a brain tumour. After finally convincing doctors of the seriousness of her condition, a brain scan revealed a tumour the size of a golf ball. Bella was suffering from Medulloblastoma – a brain tumour found in the cerebellum, which controls movement and balance.
There are two issues here that will be familiar to parents of children with brain tumours:
- Many GPs come across brain tumours rarely, if at all.
- Informed parents face an uphill struggle to convince medical professionals that their concerns are valid and ought to be listened to.
Bella Flint’s mother did the most important thing of all – keep going. Bella’s scans revealed the truth about her illness, but getting that far took persistence and the courage to seek a second opinion: that all-important second opinion secured Bella’s referral to Leicester Royal Infirmary for tests, and, ultimately, the scans.
You can read more about Bella and Carly’s experiences, and keep up to date with her condition, at the Tinkerbella’s Wishes website.
February 9, 2010
Posted in: News from BTA
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