Brave Abigail gets ready for big bash

ABIGAIL Fleming is busy preparing for her 16th birthday party.

The teenager from Maltby is determined to celebrate in style next Saturday, despite only being 14 and her birthday being in November

That’s because brave Abigail has terminal cancer and will never get to her 16th birthday.

A huge party with her family and friends is just one of the things on Abigail’s wish list that she wants to do in the time she has left.

Her wish list includes meeting and seeing singer Ed Sheeran perform, going in a hot air balloon, a stay at the Alton Towers Hotel, visiting Scotland and having giant custard pie and jelly fights.

She also wanted an iPad 2, but this wish has already been granted.

“She’s got a list of things that she wants to do,” said Abigail’s dad Richard.

“She wants to go to the beach in Scotland. We went before and stayed in the CLIC Sargent house because it has everything she needs for her there.”

Abigail was a fit and healthy young girl when she was diagnosed with bone cancer in her left leg in September 2008.

“She had a limp for about a month or so,” said her mum Maria, of Quarryfield Lane. “She was complaining through the summer holidays but there was nothing in particular (that would suggest cancer).”

“She was hardly ever ill growing up. Infact our two (children) have always been brilliant.”

After her diagnosis Abigail started chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumour.

In January 2009 she had her left knee and part of her leg removed and replaced with metal and continued with her chemotherapy until the July, while learning to walk again.

Abigail said: “I had lots of physio followed to build up my leg, and I had to have the metal in my leg extended every so often as it would not grow anymore.”

“Everything was fine until December 2010, when a routine scan picked up tumours on my left lung.”

“I was told I would have to have more chemotherapy and another operation to remove half my left lung.”

“In January 2011 I collapsed because the tumours had blocked my lung completely, leaving me unable to breath. I had to have an emergency operation before receiving more chemotherapy.”

“The operation worked and I began treatment again, lost my hair again and fell ill. In March 2011 I had another lung operation and was back home recovering after a week.”

“In October 2011 a scan revealed the cancer had returned a third time. I could not have any more chemotherapy, and the only solution was to remove the rest of my lung.”

“I had the operation in November, but the operation was unsuccessful as the tumour had attached to my heart and could not be removed.”

“Although I know the cancer will take my life I am determined to fight on and enjoy the time I have left.”

Abigail’s party at the Maltby Miners Welfare Institute (Stute) will feature a raffle, tombola, disco and karaoke.

All the money raised at the event, and through other fundraising, will be split between Abigail, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Western Park Hospital.

Local schools, including Maltby Academy and Maltby Lilly Hall Juniors, have been busy raising money through various events including a non-uniform day and coffee morning. Workers at Maltby Colliery, including Abigail’s aunt, have been busy selling raffle tickets and donating items for the party.

Maria said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone that has donated and to everyone who has asked about Abi and how she is. It’s lovely.”

Abigail added: “Thank you to everybody for donating so much money. I’m wondering if they could keep it up and keep their donations going because it is lovely how much they have helped.”

Tickets for Abigail’s party, which starts at 7pm, are £2 and can be bought from the Stute, from Jackie at Style Station Hair & Beauty Salon, Laburnum Road - 01709 769857 or Carolyne Straw, 32 Clifton Rise Maltby - 01709 819261.

Anyone who wants to help fundraise or with Abigail’s wish list can contact her family at [email protected]