A mother's world shattered after a friend's keen observation in family photographs revealed a sign of a devastating illness in her one-year-old daughter, an illness initially dismissed by doctors.
A Friend's Concern Uncovers a Subtle Sign
Elissa Hilsden, 30, from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, first thought her daughter Capri's cold-like symptoms were simply a nursery bug after her first birthday in November. A GP's online triage service suggested it was likely a virus. However, everything changed when a friend sent a cautious text message.
The friend had noticed a persistent head tilt in photos and videos of Capri, wondering if it indicated an ear problem. This prompted Elissa to review recent images, where she realised the tilt was indeed present. "I felt so guilty for not having noticed it," Elissa admitted, highlighting how daily proximity can mask gradual changes.
The Devastating Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Rushed to Bedford Hospital, Capri was initially diagnosed with an ear infection and given antibiotics. But a mother's intuition told Elissa something was still wrong, especially when she noticed a occasional vacant look in her daughter's right eye. Returning to the GP, she insisted on further investigation, leading to an urgent CT scan.
The scan revealed the horrific truth: Capri had an extensive brain tumour. "It was that moment that everything crumbled," Elissa recalled. The toddler was blue-lighted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where a 12-hour surgery on November 18 removed about 80% of the growth.
Biopsy results delivered another blow days later. Capri was diagnosed with Embryonal Tumour with Multilayered Rosettes (ETMR), an exceptionally rare and aggressive childhood brain cancer. Doctors warned that without further surgery, the family might have only two months left with their little girl.
A Family's Fight and a Community's Support
Capri's battle became even more perilous when she developed sepsis, requiring emergency intensive care. Once stabilised, she was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, where surgeons used an intra-operative MRI scanner to remove more of the tumour, making chemotherapy possible.
Returning to Addenbrooke's, Capri underwent a stem cell harvest and had a shunt fitted to relieve brain pressure. Her first of six intensive chemotherapy sessions began on December 20. Her parents, Elissa, an engineering teacher, and Anthony, 35, an engineer, have lived on the ward for over a month, sleeping by her side.
To cover costs and enable them to remain at Capri's bedside between chemotherapy cycles, the family started a GoFundMe campaign just before Christmas. They have already raised an incredible £34,000 towards their £50,000 target. Despite the circumstances, hospital staff helped create special Christmas memories, with Santa leaving a stocking and Capri receiving a doctor's kit from her oncologist to help overcome her fear of stethoscopes.
The family spent Christmas at Addenbrooke's, and Capri continues her treatment there. Bedford Hospital has been contacted for comment regarding the initial diagnosis.
