In February 2025, Chloe began feeling unwell, something unusual for her. Initially thought to be norovirus, her symptoms persisted for two weeks. When she became unsteady on her feet, a hospital referral and CT scan revealed a large mass on the back of her brain. She was blue-lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital that same evening.

Two days later, Chloe underwent a 12-hour operation to remove the tumour, which was blocking the flow of fluid around her brain and spine. The morning after surgery, she suffered a stroke and became completely unresponsive.

For the first two weeks after surgery, Chloe could not walk, talk, or open her eyes. She could not recognise words on the page of a book, despite loving creative writing and reading.

Following a second operation and 30 fractions of Proton Beam Therapy, Chloe completed treatment on 27th June. A follow-up MRI in August showed no recurrence, and she now has three-monthly scans.

Fiona, Chloe’s mum, explains “We went from norovirus to brain tumour to cancer and then being cancer free within eight months.”

The family were referred to Little Havens through Young Lives vs Cancer, with Family Support Worker Cassie becoming their key point of contact.

“I’d heard of Little Havens, but the only experience I’d ever had of a hospice was end of life care for an adult.”

Although the family initially struggled to access support in person, Cassie offered regular phone support.

“That regular weekly call became a lifeline. When Chloe’s treatment finished and we returned home, it felt like people thought we’d gone back to normal, but life would never be the same. I needed Cassie’s support even more during this period, she was someone I could talk to, be vulnerable, cry, say things I couldn’t do with friends and family.”

While physiotherapists and occupational therapists in hospital had focused on walking, balance and motor skills, Chloe’s family were increasingly concerned about the cognitive effects of her stroke.

“I was speaking to Cassie about how the stroke had affected Chloe, and the struggles she was having with her short-term memory. That’s when Cassie suggested Ben, Little Havens Occupational Therapist could help.”

“I didn’t know they could offer that sort of support. Everything had been focused on Chloe’s physical recovery, but to have someone who could help with the cognitive impact felt huge.”

Ben, Little Havens Occupational Therapist, began supporting Chloe through regular school visits. Alongside Cassie, he visited every two weeks, using memory games and activities to help improve Chloe’s recall and short-term memory. The sessions also gave Chloe an opportunity to talk about any worries or anxieties she was experiencing at school.

“The cognitive side is even more important. Chloe can read a book again now and she’s getting better at remembering things.”

“Just through these sessions together they’ve noticed improvements in Chloe’s memory and we see that too in her being able to recall names.”

Today, Chloe is back at school full time and gradually returning to normality.

“She is just incredible how she’s dealt with it all. She’s allowed to ride her bike again; she’s getting back to some normality.”

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Published in 2026