In Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Closer spoke to Abigail Solieri, 34, whose daughter, Arianna, six, is currently receiving treatment for neuroblastoma
When Abigail Solieri’s eldest daughter, Arianna, started complaining of backache in June 2021, she put it down to the new bed and mattress she’d recently bought.
However, when the pain returned five months later, things escalated dramatically. After pushing doctors for answers, it was discovered Arianna had neuroblastoma – an aggressive form of childhood cancer that affects around 100 children a year. Now, 10 months on, Arianna, is still fighting for her life and has a difficult road ahead, seeking a trial vaccine in the US, which costs £350,000. Abigail, 34, who lives in Herefordshire with her husband, Chris, and four daughters, Arianna, six, Mya, three, Zara, two, and six-month-old Raya, says, “It’s been an unbelievably challenging year and it all happened so fast. It’s scary how your life can be turned around in an instant.
“Despite everything, Arianna has astounded me with her strength and positivity. No matter how poorly she is, she’s remained a funny, kind, and sweet little girl. She’s always there for others and constantly helping me out with her little sisters – changing nappies and fetching bottles. She is such a special little girl, and we call her our Wonder Woman.”
IN AGONY
Arianna started complaining about a painful upper back in June 2021, not long after starting to sleep in a new bed. But after seeing an osteopath, the muscle tightness seemed to clear.
Five months later in November, Arianna had been at a friend’s house for a playdate, when the next morning she woke up in agony.
Abigail says, “She was complaining about pain in her lower back and seemed out of sorts. I was concerned but not overly worried, then I noticed she was limping too, and I knew something was seriously wrong.”
Arianna’s pain rapidly worsened and Abigail rushed her to A&E. It would be the first of eight visits in six days, during which time doctors thought Arianna had everything from a UTI, to sepsis. Abigail says, “It was a week of unimaginable worry, but her pain was getting worse, and doctors were only prescribing antibiotics. I had a gut instinct that something was bad. Eventually, a consultant agreed to do a scan.”
Following the ultrasound on her heart and kidneys, Abigail and Chris were delivered the devastating news that she had a seven and a half inch tumour in her stomach. Abigail says, “Doctors confirmed it was cancer and my heart shattered.”
