All-clear at last for brave Telford eight-year-old who 'doesn't remember anything before cancer'

Dulcie O'Kelly and her parents, Debbie and Gavin, were given the news at Birmingham Children's Hospital earlier this month.

Brave Dulcie, whose family live in Lawley, has been undergoing a range of different treatments for neuroblastoma since 2021.

She was given the news that her scans were clear back in July last year, but doctors have now told the family she is classed as 'NED' - meaning 'no evidence of disease'.

The news means that Dulcie will soon be able to ring the end-of-treatment bell at the hospital, a huge milestone for any youngster undergoing cancer treatment.

Debbie said the news had been a 'huge relief' for the family, adding: "It was unbelievable, like a huge weight being lifted off our shoulders.

"Even though the doctors were happy it is always the 'what if' in the back of your mind.

"He sat us down and said 'it's good news, there is no bad news and no evidence of any disease'."

Since her initial diagnosis Dulcie has undergone a host of gruelling treatments, and was part of two clinical trials.

During that time her schooling has faced huge interruptions, and she has been unable to do many of the simple things children do every day - like having a proper bubble bath.

Debbie explained that because of her 'wigglies' - Dulcie's name for the lines fitted in her body to deliver drugs - the youngster had been unable to enjoy a full bath.

Those lines have now been removed meaning Dulcie can finally have a proper bubble bath like other children her age.

Debbie said: "It is just hard to believe we were at that stage."

She added that for Dulcie she is just happy that it is finally over, adding: "She is more happy that her 'wigglies' have come out so she can have a full bubble bath - it is the simple things you take for granted."

Debbie said that Dulcie had coped incredibly well for someone so young, saying her resilience had been "amazing".

But she said that Dulcie cannot really remember any of her life before cancer, with the youngster's memories almost entirely made up of hospitals and treatment.

Debbie said: "She doesn't remember anything before cancer. The only thing she knows is hospitals, cancer and being prodded and poked."

She added that even being healthy had been a significant adjustment, saying: "She does not know how to feel now it is pretty much all over but we will get there."

Dulcie's recovery means she has also been able to enjoy her first trip to the AIRea51 children's activity park in Telford with a friend.

Debbie has also been raising money to allow Dulcie to return to Disneyland in Paris - with generous supporters already smashing the target.

Dulcie has been to the park once before while she was still undergoing treatment, but was significantly restricted on what she could do during the trip.

Debbie said it was now all about "creating new memories for her so she can forget the cancer stuff".

The transition hasn't been easy for Debbie either, who is now starting to try and get life back to what it was like before Dulcie fell ill.

She said: "For the last three years all I have done is hospitals - remember this medicine, remember this appointment - so I am trying to return myself to my old world, trying to remember what life was life before cancer. It is hard going but we will get there."

Debbie said it was now a case of making sure they enjoy every moment.

She said: "We are taking nothing for granted, life is too short."

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