Joy as Melissa (8) wins cancer battle
IT was a birthday party her family thought they would never see when Melissa Moulton was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer as a toddler.
But Sunday's extravaganza was a double reason for joy as the brave youngster combined her eighth birthday celebrations with news that she has been given the all-clear from the deadly illness.
Melissa, of Swaffham, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma – a cancer on her left eyelid – shortly before her first birthday when her eyelid swelled to the size of a golf ball.
The Sporle Primary School pupil has defied the odds in her battle for survival and was joined by those who have shared her highs and lows over the years for her special day of celebration.
Proud mum Rebecca Spells (30) told the Lynn News: "At times, when things were really bad, we could not look this far ahead, we could barely look to the next day.
"As a mum this has definitely made me the person I am. I am quite strong now and it is all down to this.
"I look at it now as if it was something that never happened. It seems so unreal. Hopefully now I can close the chapter on the book.
"Over the years she has asked questions and we felt it was important she knew why she kept going to hospital while her friends did not have to.
"She is aware she was really ill, but now we can all move on."
Melissa's diagnosis was followed by extensive chemotherapy, but the youngster was dealt a near-fatal blow after suffering blood poisoning during treatment.
She spent three weeks on a life-support machine in the intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors gave her just a ten per cent chance of survival.
But after a stunning turn-around – which was supported by staff at Addenbrooke's and Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital – her treatment has now finished, meaning Melissa can enjoy the regular life of any other eight-year-old.
She is a member of Swaffham Brownies and has been learning to sing and play the recorder.
And a further testament to her progress was delivered last week when Ms Spells listened with joy as her daughter received a glowing report from teachers at a parents' evening.
She said: "Considering she lost almost a year of her personal development we were prepared for all kinds of problems, but she is excelling in school life, she is doing really, really well."
Grandmother Jenny Spells, of Heathlands, Swaffham, added: "She is a little miracle.
"At one time we were expecting the worse, I still cannot believe it, I am delighted."
For her birthday last Friday she was treated to a Pizza Hut dinner and included a new iPod among her many gifts.
The celebration then moved to Swaffham Rugby Club two days later where around 80 guests ensured she had a day to remember.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
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Wind direction: North west
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