After visiting their local hospital, Annabelle was transferred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital for specialist tests. There, it was revealed that Annabelle had Ependymoma, a rare tumour which affects the brain and spine. After undergoing urgent surgery to remove the tumour, she was then referred to Leeds Cancer Centre for a six‑week course of radiotherapy.

Because of the complexity of her treatment, Annabelle needed to wear a full-face immobilisation mask during every radiotherapy session to keep her perfectly still. For an adult, this can be challenging, yet for a child already coping with fear, nausea and pain, it was especially distressing.

"It made me very nauseous. I'd be throwing up in my mask every single time it happened"

The radiotherapy made Annabelle feel extremely sick, and during most sessions, she vomited while held in place by the mask, unable to move.

“My first week was fine.” Annabelle remembers.  “And then after that it there was just this weird smell, and I could see like a purple light if I closed my eyes, and it made me very nauseous. I'd be throwing up in my mask every single time it happened.

It made me dread it. I'd get to the Friday after I'd finished, I'd think yay! Finally, it's the weekend! And then Sunday would come. And I’d dread it every single day. I’d just wish I could go home again. I really did not like it.”

Annabelle also required permanent tattoo markings on her body - used to position her accurately for treatment - an additional discomfort at an already frightening time.

Melanie says the experience was “traumatic” for her daughter but also incredibly difficult as a parent looking on: “From the start, you're so helpless. From getting her tattoos done and crying, then on the treatment machine. Just seeing her laid there, being strapped down and crying, because she doesn't want to have her treatment done. It’s really hard.”

Melanie adds that anything which could have reduced the distress would have made a world of difference: “I think having an open-faced mask would definitely help. It's not as scary looking for a start, Annabelle’s was just a closed mask with a mouth hole. So if it could go to be in an open faced mask, or eventually no mask at all, would be amazing, not just for the patient, but for the parents as well, because I think it is very traumatic for both. It would help a lot.”

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