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Terminally ill nurse continues to care for girl, 12 | Terminally ill nurse continues to care for girl, 12 |
(2 days later) | |
A terminally ill nurse has continued to care for a severely ill child despite being diagnosed with cancer herself. | A terminally ill nurse has continued to care for a severely ill child despite being diagnosed with cancer herself. |
Joanna O'Toole, from Manchester, has looked after 12-year-old Amelie Chen, who has a rare debilitating syndrome, for the last four years. | Joanna O'Toole, from Manchester, has looked after 12-year-old Amelie Chen, who has a rare debilitating syndrome, for the last four years. |
But she was forced to retire after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and given until last Christmas to live. | But she was forced to retire after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and given until last Christmas to live. |
However, she has continued to volunteer at the city's children's hospital, and has won an award for her "compassion". | However, she has continued to volunteer at the city's children's hospital, and has won an award for her "compassion". |
Mrs O'Toole was recognised in the patient's choice category of the RCNi Nurse Awards. | Mrs O'Toole was recognised in the patient's choice category of the RCNi Nurse Awards. |
Amelie's mother, Lesley, of Stretford, described respiratory specialist Mrs O'Toole as "wonderful and courageous". | Amelie's mother, Lesley, of Stretford, described respiratory specialist Mrs O'Toole as "wonderful and courageous". |
However, she said the family was left devastated when they learned Amelie and Mrs O'Toole's time together would be limited. | However, she said the family was left devastated when they learned Amelie and Mrs O'Toole's time together would be limited. |
"I don't know how we will manage without her. It will feel empty without Jo in all our lives," she said. | "I don't know how we will manage without her. It will feel empty without Jo in all our lives," she said. |
But Mrs O'Toole insisted she had only done her job. | But Mrs O'Toole insisted she had only done her job. |
"I care for children and their families as I would care for my own," she said. | "I care for children and their families as I would care for my own," she said. |
"Lesley's nomination was very touching. It made me very tearful. You have to give the care you would want for your own family. No half measures. | "Lesley's nomination was very touching. It made me very tearful. You have to give the care you would want for your own family. No half measures. |
"I was given until Christmas and I am still here. I am living my life like I have always taught the children in my care. | "I was given until Christmas and I am still here. I am living my life like I have always taught the children in my care. |
"I have always encouraged them to live their lives, not wait around. They have taught me an awful lot in terms of how to manage the situation. | "I have always encouraged them to live their lives, not wait around. They have taught me an awful lot in terms of how to manage the situation. |
"I believe that is why I am doing so much better than anyone expected." | "I believe that is why I am doing so much better than anyone expected." |
Ms Chen, whose daughter has Charge syndrome, which causes a combination of acute physical and mental disabilities, said: "Jo makes me feel safe. She knows our girl so well. | Ms Chen, whose daughter has Charge syndrome, which causes a combination of acute physical and mental disabilities, said: "Jo makes me feel safe. She knows our girl so well. |
"She has stayed on after her shift finished many times to sit with us. | "She has stayed on after her shift finished many times to sit with us. |
"She is always positive and offers adult company in what can be a lonely hospital world." | "She is always positive and offers adult company in what can be a lonely hospital world." |
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