Aurora’s journey started back in March 2021 at 6-years-old, when mum Jenna noticed the amount of water she was drinking.
“She just started drinking a load of water, so I took her to the GP, and they said ‘it’s probably habitual but we’ll put you through to paediatrics at Aberdeen Royal Children’s Hospital’
So, we went there, and they said the same but ran a blood in urine test.”
After the test came back with some unexpected signs, the paediatric team put Aurora through a water deprivation test, used to spot AVP Deficiency, although it was known as Diabetes Insipidus at the time.
“Because they had picked it up early, the results weren’t really clear. That’s when we met Dr Oxley.
He took time to explain what Diabetes Insipidus is and why they were testing for it.”
After the test came back unclear, Aurora was sent for an MRI. Where the test came back clear but with the marker that the pituitary gland had swelled, at just 6-years-old.
During a follow up scan, the swelling of the pituitary gland had gotten bigger.
“So, we decided to do a Lumbar Puncture, even though they had done three blood tests that came back clear. But the CSF test for the Lumbar Puncture came back with tumour markers so Aurora started chemotherapy for a [Germinoma].”
Luckily, Aurora and Jenna had Dr Oxley to provide support and care throughout Aurora’s chemotherapy.
“You never, ever wish your kids to be ill but if they are, Dr Oxley is who you would want.”
As a particularly scary journey as a young girl and a parent to navigate, help and support from someone with answers to your questions is important.
“During the night, when she was in for her first round of chemo it was really quite difficult with her Diabetes Insipidus, but he would phone every two to three hours to check up on her and see how her bloods were. Even when he wasn’t on call or was at home during the night, he would still call to make sure Aurora was okay.
He makes you feel like the you’re the only patient.”
A true testament to the care and help endocrine professionals can offer.
“He talks about things so that we can understand, it never feels rushed and he’s very very thorough. So, when I saw your post about positive practice stories on social media and I wanted to wish him a wee shout out because I just feel that were really lucky.
We know that she’s in good hands.”
The lengths Dr Oxley has gone to for Aurora has also made a big impact on how Jenna feels and how to manage Aurora’s condition.
“My confidence as a parent dealing with Auroras issues comes from Dr Oxley. He always reinforces to me that I know her best, with her thirst and how to keep her safe, how to sort herself out and when I think she needs her desmopressin instead of a strict routine.
I don’t think that’s normally the case because doctors like doing it themselves and to a timetable, but he’s allowed me to do it and go by how she is.”
But it’s not only Jenna who’s thankful for Dr Oxley.
“Aurora thinks he’s great. She can always trust Dr Oxley and she always feels relaxed with him. He never gives her any surprises, he explains to her what he’s going to do and always puts her at ease.
She is so good in hospital because she is so trusting of him. He’s built this trust that she can now go into hospital and be confident and know that everything’s going to be okay.”
Now at eight-years old, Aurora has finished chemotherapy.
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