Reading girl, 1, prescribed inhaler when sick with cancer

Her daughter Graci was prescribed an inhaler over the phone but when her lips started turning grey, Amber rushed her to Berkshire Royal Hospital.

Graci was given an ultrasound before Amber was taken to a private room on January 8, 2021 - alone, due to Covid restrictions – and told her daughter had cancer.

“I just burst into tears. I thought ‘oh my god, how are we going to get through this?” said Amber.

“It just broke my heart.

“It’s such an awful thing to be told alone. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that day.”

Her daughter was one of around 85 children between the ages of 0 and 14 years who are diagnosed with Wilms tumour each year, according to Cancer Research UK.

This develops from a fault in kidney growth while a baby is in the womb, causing cells to grow out of control.

Graci the day she was diagnosed with Wilms tumour

“I know that due to Covid a lot of people weren’t being seen and it’s worrying, especially when you’re being prescribed an inhaler when really the underlying problem is much more serious; life threatening.”

Every Tuesday for the next nine months, Amber and Graci would visit the hospital for chemotherapy treatment.

Amber Mapp takes a selfie with her daughter

“At the point where she was losing weight and she looked really pale and drained, that hit me, especially when she was sick from chemo.”

Her treatment intensified when on March 8, doctors removed her kidney.

“It’s been really awful. She’s only two and a whole year of her life she spent in and out of hospital,” said Amber.

“She’s been left with some scars, bless her, but she’s here with us which is the most important thing.

Graci smiles after surgery in March 2021

“I feel lucky that I’ve still got Graci, because during treatment a friend of Graci’s didn’t make it.

“It’s horrible that not all children make end of treatment.”

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Graci entered remission in November, meaning signs of the cancer have disappeared but she will undergo five years of check-ups before being given the all-clear.

Graci, right, and her five-year-old sister Demi

“It’s still really scary because you think ‘is it going to reoccur?’ You’ve got that worry constantly. You never think it’s going to be you so I want to spread that awareness.”

Amber added: “Graci is so full of life. She’s such a happy little girl and I’m so grateful to have her here and she’s come such a long way from the start.”