Greater Manchester mum shares anguish after daughter's tiredness revealed an incurable brain tumour

Karen Kinsella assumed that Emily's tiredness was typical teenage behaviour. Credit: MEN

A mum from Greater Manchester has said she would 'sell her house' to pay for treatment for daughter whose sleepiness revealed an incurable brain tumour.

Emily Kinsella, then 14, would often be found sleeping when she was supposed to be doing her homework during lockdown.

Her mum, Karen, initially thought the tiredness was just typical teenage behaviour and was not overly concerned.

But soon Emily developed a headache, and a few days later, her mum noticed that her face had dropped on one side.

Karen contacted her GP and sent a picture of Emily's facial droop - she received a reply within minutes telling her to go to A&E immediately.

Emily underwent surgery to remove a part of the brain tumour. Credit: MEN

Emily's scan results confirmed she had a brain tumour and she was transferred to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital - and underwent surgery just days later.Karen said: "Three days later they came and told us the tumour was very nasty.

"They said it was the worst case scenario and that they couldn't give a number on how long she was going to live."

Family were told Emily's tumour was 'treatable' but not 'curable' and she was referred to The Christie hospital in Withington for six weeks of radiotherapy.

After a following 12-month course of chemotherapy - which was delayed by a number of months due to a bleed on her brain - the tumour was stabilised and Emily was able to live a relatively normal life.

Emily finished a 12-month course of chemotherapy which stabilised the tumour and allowed her to live a relatively normal life. Credit: MEN

However, a few weeks before Christmas, Emily developed problems swallowing and was advised by doctors to have another scan.After waiting around 18 hours in A&E, the family were told the original tumour had returned and a secondary tumour had appeared at the brain stem - making it inoperable.Emily was placed on oxygen in intensive care where she stayed for six days -suffering pneumonia and a collapsed lung.

Karen - who is married and also has an 18-year-old son - said her daughter's diagnosis has brought her family closer together.

Karen's husband Rob, did not miss a single one of Emily's appointments. Credit: MEN

Karen said: "They thought she wasn't going to make it.

"Her friends all came to say goodbye. We were all crying by her bedside.

"Then all of a sudden she began breathing on her own and they were able to reduce her oxygen. The doctors and nurses said it was a miracle."Emily, who is now 16, was able to spend Christmas at home with her family.

They are now turning their hopes to a trial drug currently only available in America or France.Emily's condition means she is unable to fly to the US, so it costs her family £3,900 every month to make the 12-hour drive to France for the drug.

Karen said: "The hope is that it will keep Emily alive until something comes along.

"It won't cure her but it could prolong her life and that's all we want for her."We'd like to get Emily on the drug for a few months and then we will turn our focus to start lobbying the UK government so that she can access it here."It's not just the money, it's the travel to France. It's the time off work and you just have to put your life on hold.

"We will find the money, even if we have to sell the house."Now Emily wants to use her experience to educate other teenagers about brain tumours, and the treatments available.The family have also launched a fundraiser for donations to help pay for the treatment.

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