Transplant teenager recovering at home

A TEENAGER from York is recovering well just weeks after a life-changing transplant.

Noni Grant was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), in January and spent more than six months being treated at Leeds General Infirmary, before a cord stem cell transplant could be carried out in July.

Following several more weeks in isolation at the hospital, to avoid infection, the Manor School pupil has been allowed home to Acomb, with weekly check-ups at the hospital, but said she was pleased to be home.

Noni said: "It's good to be home, I feel so much more relaxed here. It's nice to get out of hospital. Spending all that time in isolation it's nice to move around as I want. I struggle a bit going upstairs but it will soon improve.

"I don't really feel any different, just sometimes a bit more tired if I've done too much, it tires me out a lot quicker. I'm getting a lot of work done so far so that's good. I've had a couple of friends visit but have to make sure they don't have any colds or infections, I've just got to be so careful, I don't want to go back. It will be nice to just spend a full week at home."

Her mother, Rosie Quinn was nominated for Parent Of The Year at The Press' Community Pride Awards, and Noni is a finalist in the Spirit Of Youth category, for the determination and strength she has shown since being diagnosed.

Rosie said she had been worried about Noni, who suffered a number of side effects after the transplant, but was pleased things were looking up for the 16-year-old.

She said: "She actually lost all her hair this time, and there were a couple of weeks where she was constantly being sick and couldn't keep her tablets down. It was like the end of it. I think she got every side effect, one after the other, after the transplant.

"It's definitely nice to have her back. She's perked up a lot more since being back. She's doing really well now. We've been back home two weeks now and she goes back to the LGI every Thursday to get a check-up and last week they said if it's as good or better this week than last, she can have a week without going back, so it's just about settling back in and trying to sort everything else out. Hopefully, this is it."

During Noni's illness, Rosie's 16-month-old son Denzel stayed with a family friend, but he is now back home with his family, and Rosie said that had helped both Noni and her own progress.

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Transplant teenager recovering at home