A brave teenager fighting cancer was delighted to hear West Lothian Council has organised her return to school.
Ellie Beattie, from Deans Community High School, has been fighting cancer in recent years and her mum was delighted to tell The Courier that her daughter is preparing for a phased return to school.
Ellie was first diagnosed in 2019 with metastatic pineoblastoma and leptomeningeal disease and has endured numerous bouts of radiotherapy and brain operations.
Due to her treatment, subsequent side-effects and the Covid-19 pandemic, the third year pupil has only made seven visits to her school in recent years but she is preparing for a phased return from next week.
Elaine explained: “We are both excited as it’s a little bit of normality for us both.
“She is going in on a phased return to see how she will cope.
“It’s been a long haul and still with a lot of uncertainty as to what lies ahead with her brain tumour.
“But we can’t stay at home wrapped in the cancer bubble that has taken over our lives.
“Ellie wishes to live her life to its fullest potential and as a family we will do everything to support her.”
“She is so excited, I dread to think what she is going to be like on Sunday night!”
Deans Community High School headteacher, Pauline Allison, said: “Ellie has been an inspiration to all of us at Deans, and has continued to engage with her friends and teachers throughout her battle with cancer.
“We’re all thrilled that she will be back joining her friends in school again, and are delighted to ensure that the necessary transport is in place to allow this to happen.”
Elaine has been charting Ellie’s battle on the Facebook page, ‘Ellie’s Brave Cancer Journal,’ and the return to school isn’t the only news Ellie has had recently.
Morrisons in Carmondean presented the teenager with a community champion award for being the area’s Ray of Sunshine.
Elaine regularly organises activities for Ellie though the page and everyone is welcome to join and help out if they can.
Ellie also celebrated her 15th birthday at home surrounded by family earlier this month, with a new gazebo and firepit provided by the Shannon Hughes Foundation.
Elaine says they are now preparing for Ellie’s next MRI scan in July and if all goes well she will be moving rooms, after sleeping downstairs since the cancer diagnosis.
Ellie is busy getting ready for her return to school and designing her new teenage bedroom.
To read more on her journal visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2029215034055127
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