A Moray mum has renewed an appeal to make her daughter’s dreams come true, after learning that treatment to combat the five-year-old’s cancer can only prolong her life.
Doctors have confirmed that Eileidh Paterson will never be cured of neuroblastoma, as the aggressive form of the disease has now spread into her bones.
Eileidh’s family hope her stubbornness will help her survive as long as possible, and are concentrating on making the most of what time the Forres youngster has left.
Her mum, Gail Paterson, said yesterday: “We need to try and pack as much as we can into a relatively short space of time, so we want to make as many memories as possible.
“We are taking it day by day, we are relying on Eileidh’s stubbornness to keep her going.
“She refuses to give in and, despite often being in pain, won’t accept help unless she has to.”
Top of Eileidh’s to-do list is staging a dream “wedding” with her best pal, Harrison Grier.
Her mum said: “Eileidh is demanding a bright pink dress for it, and she talks about Harrison to everyone.
“He doesn’t see the illness with her, or her lack of hair, he just sees her as Eileidh.”
Ms Paterson explained that the family would prefer not to make any overly ambitious plans for Eileidh’s bucket list, and instead want her to enjoy activities that other children may take for granted.
She added: “Doctors have said we should try to focus on things close to home, and I wouldn’t like to tempt fate by setting up any big holidays we might not be able to go on.”
Ms Paterson hopes to have a special “dry-suit” made so that Eileidh can go swimming without the water affecting her Hickman line.
Other items on the list include becoming a zookeeper for a day at the Blair Drummond Safari Park and seeing real snow for the first time.
Eileidh began a programme of treatment in London this week, which could last for nine months if she responds favourably to it.
Money can be pledged towards the bucket list collection at www.gofundme.com/eileidhsjourney
Earlier this week, the Seafield Arms pub in Rothes pledged £1,600 which staff collected during a fundraiser.
