A mum has been left devastated after her three-year-old daughter's 'water infection' turned out to be cancer - with the tot now facing a gruelling 27 weeks of chemotherapy.
Hollie Jagger made a doctor's appointment after her little girl Poppy Smith started suffering from stomach pains and passing blood in her urine.
As most GPs were holding consultancies over the phone at the time due to Covid, the mum was simply asked to send in a urine sample and call to explain the tot's symptoms.
When the doctor got back to her, they said Poppy likely had a water infection and was prescribed antibiotics - but her symptoms continued.
She was given another round of antibiotics, but her mum knew that something else was wrong and insisted the youngster needed an in-person appointment, Hull Live reports.
Ms Jagger, 30, said: "Poppy went into the doctor's surgery to do another sample and I remember arguing with the receptionist and saying that she really just needs to see someone.
"I held up her sample and it was bright red - this couldn't be normal for any three-year-old to have.
"After leaving, we got a call asking if Poppy could go in to another doctor's office because they managed to find someone that would see her.
"The GP knew straight away it wasn't a water infection and referred her to hospital.
"On February 9, we were told Poppy had cancer in her kidney. The doctor at the hospital said that he could feel the tumour just by touching the area."
The young girl then had to go through an awful four weeks of chemotherapy before she could have the operation to remove the tumour.
Throughout it all, Poppy remained smiling and her mum said: "She didn't understand much of what was going on, just that she had to take her 'nasty medicine'.
"The really confusing part for her was when her hair started to fall out. It's growing back a little now but she has more chemo to come, so I've let her know that she will probably lose it again."
In April, the family prepared for Poppy's operation to have the tumour and her left kidney removed at the hospital in Leeds.
They were advised the tumour had shrunk quite well because of the chemotherapy and they hoped for positive results.
Hollie said: "We went in on a Wednesday and we were out on the Sunday. Even though she was having such a major operation, Poppy never stopped being our bubbly and chatty girl.
"She is always so cheeky and confident - the only ever time she's not is when she's been given morphine and in a lot pain, which would be horrible for anyone, let alone a three-year-old. She can't go to nursery and see her friends at the moment because of her low immunity and she still has a further 27 weeks of chemo to go.
"Me and her dad just want her to have something to look forward to because all she waits for is the pins and needles she'll get from her chemo treatment."
Poppy's mum has had to leave her full-time job to take care of her daughter and Poppy's dad, Hugo Smith, and Poppy's grandma also took a few months off work to help. In light of this, friends and family have set up a series of charity events to raise money to give Poppy the memories she deserves.
She loves everything animals, dinosaurs and Disney, so her parents are hoping to arrange a day out or trip for her to enjoy.
They will be doing a sponsored walk across the Humber Bridge, wearing pink t-shirts, and Poppy herself will even join in to see how far across she can get.
Hugo's work friend, Lee Stead, will also be taking on the 'Total Warrior Challenge' with his brother to fund some exciting activities for Poppy. This GoFundMe page is the one designated to helping Poppy herself.
The West Hull family also want to give back to the "Candle Lighters", a charity which helped make Poppy smile while she was in hospital. Hugo, Poppy's dad, will be doing the 12k Total Warrior Challenge in aid of them, which you can donate to here.
Hollie is amazed at all the support she has received and said: "She really is so brave, no matter what gets thrown at her. She is still smiling, I’m so proud to call her my daughter.
"Even though me and her dad aren’t together anymore, we share her care and he is an absolute fantastic father and has been her rock. Also her brothers and sister absolutely adore her."
Poppy's family have set up a Facebook page entitled "Princess Poppy's Journey" where they share updates on her journey to becoming completely cancer-free.
They have shared lots of photos and videos of her dancing and smiling and really facing her illness head on. You can find it here to offer words of support and follow upcoming charity events.
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