Georgia, who suffers from Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, had the
transplant two months ago has been away from brother Liam, her
home and her beloved pet dog Max.
She got back to Northern Ireland on Sunday
but had to spend a further two days at the Royal Hospital for
Sick Children before she was allowed home for good.
Georgia's
transplant took place on April 5 and she remained in isolation
for a month. She; left hospital on May 4 but had a slight
setback when she caught an infection and was forced to return to
hospital again on May 19.
But on Sunday doctors finally gave the news
that everyone had been waiting for - Georgia could go home.
Mum Debbie said she could not put into words
her reaction.
"We were just over the moon," she said. "I just
thought 'great' and Georgia was really excited. I can't really
believe it. I'm still in shock." Throughout the gruelling ten
weeks it was Georgia's spirit that helped everyone through many
ups and downs.
"She was always a joy and bouncing all the
time," she said. "She really kept our spirits up even during the
darkest time."
Now that the family are home Debbie admits
that she is still a bit apprehensive.
"It seems a bit surreal because we have been
in a cocoon for so long and now we are out in the real world
something we are not used to We have been told there is still a
long journey ahead of us and a lot more tests but Georgia has
battled through a lot.."
Georgia's bone marrow will have to be tested
twice a week at the Royal and for the next six months. Her diet
will be checked and will not be allowed in crowded areas, and
will still need to be fed through a nose tube for a while. She
will also have to have her immunisation injections again.
She said: "She is in good form and has put on
more weight now. She is a little quiet. Though we feel like
celebrating but we will just have to wait for another six months
before she can have a party. She is not allowed to be in crowds.
She has fought a big battle she still has a little ahead of her
yet.
"Everything is fine but it could have been
all so different."
Debbie would like to thank all the prayers,
texts, and messages of support that she has received throughout
their time spent at Bristol.
`The one person I want to thank, and can't'
GEORGIA'S mum Debbie said that although she
has been able to thank doctors and medical staff who cared for
Georgia so wonderfully, there is still one person she would
dearly love to thank personally but is not allowed to - the
unnamed American man who selflessly donated his bone marrow in
an act which ultimately saved Georgia's life.
He was located and matched by the Anthony Nolan
Trust.
"He is the one person that I would really
like to thank but cannot," she said. "He ultimately saved
Georgia and gave her the chance of life."
Through the Anthony Nolan Trust Debbie can
send him a card, but she is not allowed to use names. It will be
two years before she can do that.
"There are so many families we have met who
are still waiting for donors," she said. "If it was not for the
Anthony Nolan Trust it could have been fatal for Georgia.
"Without the transplant it would have been a
ticking time bomb for her.
"We'll never be able to thank them."
The Northern
Ireland Leukaemia Research Fund, Lisburn Branch
