A three-year-old girl who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer got to go to prom early because she may never get the chance.
Lana Nixon's big sister Neve, 16, shared the limelight on her big day just weeks after their parents were told the cancer cannot be cured.
Engaged parents Gemma Nixon, 34, and Andrew Haswell, 40, both quit their jobs so they can make their time count with the daughter after the news.
And mum Gemma said it was particularly emotional seeing Lana in her prom dress after months of hospital pyjamas.
The mum-of-three, from Hetton-le-Hole in Sunderland told Chronicle Live : “It was so emotional for us all to be together as a family and for Lana to be part of her sister's special day.
“She loved the car and said her and Neve were princesses that day.
“It was very emotional to see Lana looking so well and in a lovely dress after months of [hospital] gowns and pyjamas.”
Sheb Ahktar, 36, director of Autograph Prestige, drove the sisters to prom in his Rolls Royce.
After meeting Lana, he wanted to support the family all that he could.
He said: “On the day, Lana was so happy, smiling and active just like any other 3-year-old.
“It's just heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what the family are going through and I'll make sure that I will help in anyway so the family get what they need for Lana.”
It's been a heart-rendering time for Lana's parents and her three siblings, Neve, Ellie, 18, and Jonah, 8, to watch their loved one bravely battle against cancer.
Gemma added: "We cannot believe her strength and bravery. She is a happy, loving and funny little character. She deserves the world for all she has endured.
“Throughout it all she was so resilient and so tough, she would just accept it all. She still found time to smile, laugh, play and love."
This time last year, Lana was a normal, happy and healthy 2-year-old with no concerns.
At the end of September 2018 she started to be sick several times a week and her parents thought it was just a common sickness bug.
However, Lana’s condition started to get progressively worse.
She began to struggle to walk, she slept excessively and she lost half a stone due to constant vomiting.
Following six trips to hospital, the concerned parents struggled to receive a diagnosis, with doctors passing it off as a common virus, water infection or a possible stomach problem.
Eventually, they were offered an MRI scan in November.
Within 20 minutes of the scan, Gemma and Andrew were told that they had found a large mass on Lana's brain and an ambulance was on its way as she needed urgent treatment
Less than 24 hours later, Lana had her first major brain surgery at Royal Victoria Infirmary, where they removed most of the mass and fitted a drain to flush out the fluid that was making her poorly.
Within a few days she was back on the operating table to undergo her second surgery to remove more of the tumour.
She faced her third surgery a few weeks later, to fit a reservoir so she would receive chemotherapy directly into her brain.
Gemma struggled to watch her youngest daughter suffer with the side effects from chemo.
She said: “It was so harsh and she suffered every possible side effect.
"She vomited blood, horrendous nose bleeds, her mouth broke down and bled, she was so poorly. We spent a lot of time in isolation.”
A few weeks after Lana's surgery and biopsy, the family's world shattered again.
They were told Lana's tumour was very rare and aggressive, with a high chance of return, more aggressive and harder to treat within the next 12 to 18 months.
A scan on July 4 showed that the tumour is responding to the treatment, however Lana still requires a lot of care.
She needs regular scans, lots of medication and physiotherapy as she needs to learn how to walk again after spending 8 months in bed.
Friends set up a JustGiving page to help reduce the family's finical burden after quiting work and to help give Lana what she might need or want to make lasting special memories.
The family would like to specially thank the staff at Newcastle RVI for all their hard work and to anyone who has kindly donated so far.
If you would like to donate to help support Lana and her family, please follow this link .
