Young patient at UHNM gets the all clear

A young cancer patient from University Hospitals of North Midlands has rung the cancer bell to mark the end of her treatment.

Five-year-old Maddie James, from Leek, was diagnosed with Leukaemia in November 2020 and started her treatment Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke in December 2020. After two years under care of children’s oncology Maddie’s treatment has now come to an end.

Maddie’s parents Clare Chappell and Michael James have plans of getting back to normality and are looking ahead to the future now that Maddie’s central line is out and there is less risk of infections.

Clare praised the staff at Staffordshire Children’s Hospital and said: “The staff, nurses and everybody at the hospital have been so amazing. They have catered to all of our needs and have always been there for support or even just a chat. Also the kids, they are so kind and I love them.”

Julie Eaton, Oncology Nurse said: “Maddie has been with us for a couple of years and has now come to the end of her treatment for Leukaemia. We have rang the bell today to celebrate the end of her treatment and she goes off on her way.

“Maddie is quite a lively little girl so wants to do more rough and tumble playing, which she will be able to now and she is less likely to bruise easily since her treatment has now stopped. We will follow up with a few appointments but essentially Maddie is all done and dusted.

“All of us at UHNM wish Maddie and her family all the best in the future.”