A little schoolgirl named Indeg Glyn Roberts from Rhoshirwaun, Wales experienced months of dismissal of her brain cancer symptoms. In the summer of 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic, Indeg began suffering from severe headaches and recurring vomiting. She had a series of phone appointments with doctors at her local practice who assured her and her family that her illness could be managed with over-the-counter medicine such as Calpol.
However, as time went on, Indeg started developing balance problems, which finally prompted her to receive an in-person appointment and undergo tests. The results revealed that she had a rare form of brain cancer. Thanks to months of treatment, she’s now being monitored as part of a trial to combat her tumor. Ceri, Indeg’s mother, shared that they were informed that if the tumor had been left untreated for any longer, it could have been fatal.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Indeg was denied a face-to-face appointment and instead prescribed Calpol. It wasn’t until two years later that she received a cancer diagnosis. Indeg underwent a grueling nine-hour surgery followed by two months of proton beam therapy at The Christie in Manchester.
During the summer of 2020, in addition to headaches and vomiting, Indeg also experienced a sore throat and cough. Her mother, Ceri Roberts, stated that they had several phone appointments with different doctors due to COVID restrictions. Each doctor attributed her symptoms to a virus and recommended Calpol. Despite these persistent symptoms, Indeg remained unfazed, even vomiting in the mornings and going to school as if nothing had occurred.
Concerned, Ms. Roberts turned to the internet for answers and stumbled upon information about brain tumors. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more sinister at play than just a virus. Eventually, Indeg’s unsteadiness prompted her parents to secure a face-to-face appointment in November 2020. Initial checks only indicated dehydration and low blood sugar, but a CT scan unveiled the presence of a brain tumor, specifically a grade 3 anaplastic ependymoma. Only about 30 children in the UK are diagnosed with this cancer every year. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, and loss of balance, along with seizures, fatigue, irritability, and neck pain.
The family was swiftly transported to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, where Indeg underwent emergency surgery to alleviate the fluid buildup causing her symptoms. Ms. Roberts recalled collapsing in despair upon hearing the news of her daughter’s diagnosis. In an effort to prevent the cancer from returning, the family is doing everything in their power. Doctors warned them that there is a high chance of recurrence.
Before her diagnosis, Indeg, who was then six years old, appeared unfazed by her troubling symptoms and would vomit in the morning only to attend school like nothing had happened. Now, Indeg is participating in a research trial aiming to improve outcomes for ependymoma patients. The family is also actively campaigning with the charity Brain Tumour Research to secure more funding for research. If you’d like to support their cause, you can sign the petition.
Ms. Roberts emphasized the importance of throwing all available resources at the cancer to prevent its growth and recurrence. She raised questions about the origin and growth of Indeg’s tumor, acknowledging that many other families face the same uncertainties. To gain a deeper understanding and find answers to these questions, she stressed the need for increased research funding.
It’s worth noting that brain tumors claim more lives among children and young adults under 40 than any other form of cancer. Brain Tumour Research is urging the government to allocate greater investments specifically for brain tumor research.
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