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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Lisa Hodge

Scots cancer teen Lily Douglas 'very ill' after bleed on the brain during treatment

Scots cancer teen Lily Douglas has suffered a brain bleed while waiting to start a new drug trial in an English hospital.

The 14-year-old arrived at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary on Friday to begin the potential breakthrough trial, but before doctors could get started, the Perth teenager suffered a brain bleed.

Medics told terrified mum, Jane, they were not sure if Lily would last the night and if she did survive, they 'didn't know what damage would be done'.

Medics told mum, Jane, they were not sure if Lily would last the night and if she did survive, they 'didn't know what damage would be done'. (Jane Douglas)

But miraculously brave Lily opened her eyes on Sunday and managed to chat with her mum, eat something and, like a typical teenager, she checked her phone for messages.

Mum Jane, 52, has not left Lily's bedside and was there when it all unfolded.

Speaking to the Daily Record , Jane said: "Lily arrived on Friday to Newcastle to start her chemotherapy on top of her new targeted drug. We were staying in hospital so they could check on her and thank God because Lily had a bleed to the brain when we were on the ward.

"They were all amazing and stabilised her very quickly but they weren't sure if she would last the night or what damage it had done.

"But amazingly Lily woke up and was talking and managed to eat a little.

"In true diva style she woke up and said to me and her nurse 'Can I have a massage, some sushi, my phone and a cup of tea. She's some girl."

Jane said despite the promising early signs, Lily is still on oxygen and not yet able to breathe for herself.

She is still receiving chemotherapy in a bid to shrink the tumours in her lungs.

Medics told mum, Jane, they were not sure if Lily would last the night and if she did survive, they 'didn't know what damage would be done'. (Daily Record)

Her daughter has a long road ahead and Jane says the family is taking things 'a few hours at a time'.

Jane added: "For now she is stable and there doesn't seem to be further damage done.

"She was fighting for her life on Friday. I do think she has turned a corner but she is still very sick.

"The doctors said to prepare ourselves on Friday, but now they are putting a plan in place for eventually going home so it's definitely not as bad as it was on Friday when it could have went either way."

Lily was just nine-years-old when she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Ewing sarcoma in 2017.

She has undergone numerous surgeries and procedures and her positive attitude and bravery has earned her an army of fans, including celebrity supporters such as Lewis Capaldi and Dame Arlene Phillips.

Lily was named the Teenager of Courage at the Pride of Scotland awards last year.

Jane is asking family, friends, the nation and Lily's 100k followers on Instagram to pray for her daughter.

She added: "We have asked for prayers that her chemo is working and shrinking her tumours."

Updating Lily's followers last night Jane said the brave teen was delighted to learn she had tipped 100k followers on Instagram yesterday, with many more followers sending well wishes to the youngster overnight.

If you want to follow Lily's incredible journey you can find her on Instagram here.

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