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Clacton: Joshua on the road to recovery
Looking at fun-loving Joshua Borley, you'd have no idea of the trauma he has been through over the last six months.
The five-year-old from Melbourne Road in Clacton was diagnosed with Burkitt's non-Hodgkin lymphoma in November and had to undergo gruelling chemotherapy to shrink his stomach tumour.
This involved lots of lengthy trips away to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, as well as frequent visits to Colchester General Hospital.
He has also had three major operations on his bowel, with another due to take place on June 4 to remove his Hickman lines, which administer drugs and take away blood.
Joshua's plight really hit home with Gazette readers, who raised about £2,800 for his family when we told his story in February.
Now, his cancer is in remission, and he is running around like any another little boy, full of beans.
He loves playing games on his hand-held computer, and is looking forward to a family trip to EuroDisney in October to see his favourite character Goofy with mum Karen and sister Jodie, six.
His grandmother, Jean Malone, of Park Road, said: "Hopefully he will start going back to school soon at Coppins Green as well.
"He has to have scans every three months and will be in remission for five years before he's given the all-clear.
"It's always at the back of your mind, but he's fine at the moment.
"His new thing is wanting to go fishing, although we've got no idea why!"
The situation has been especially hard on Jodie, who is just a year older than her brother.
"Karen was away in hospital with Joshua at Christmas, Easter and her birthday," said Jean.
"But Jodie used to go with them as often as she could, as she'd get too upset otherwise."
Jean added: "We'd like to say thank you very much to everyone who donated money.
"We couldn't believe it."
Cash has been given to both Colchester General Hospital and Addenbrooke's to say thank you for the care they have given to little Joshua.
6:34pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Clare Lawton, Notts/Derby border on 10:40pm Sat 17 May 08
What a most wonderful photograph of your gorgeous children, Karen. Best wishes for the future and God bless you all. XX
What a most wonderful photograph of your gorgeous children, Karen. Best wishes for the future and God bless you all. XX
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