Ten-year-old Ava Steel is looking forward to a fun-filled Christmas at home with her mum, dad, and five sisters. This festive season is especially meaningful after a worrying 2024, marked by a severe infection that took an unexpected journey through her brain.

This year has been a whirlwind for Ava, involving emergency brain surgery and a seven-week stay at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow (RHC), followed by months of outpatient treatment. Yesterday, Ava’s resilience was celebrated in a heart-warming event where she was chosen by the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to switch on the Christmas lights with Santa at the RHC.

This was a much-welcomed moment of joy for her parents, Suzanne and Andrew who also shared Ava’s medical journey and their highs and lows of the year.

Ava’s ordeal began one night in May 2024. Feeling slightly unwell, she went to bed as usual. Suzanne recalls, “It had been a hot Friday, and we thought Ava’s lethargy was due to too much sun while playing at school. She managed a big cycle with us on Saturday but seemed unusually tired. By Sunday, she was not herself and just lay in the shade watching her sisters play.”

Ava’s parents – “overwhelmed by the number of experts ready to help our child”.

The next morning, Ava woke up with a severely swollen, red eye and a drooping face. Alarmed, the GP immediately referred her to the Royal Hospital for Children, suspecting a stroke. It turned out Ava had an extreme sinus infection that had rapidly spread to her brain, causing confusion as she arrived at the hospital.

The medical team, including consultants from Ear, Nose, and Throat, quickly mobilised to care for Ava. After a CT scan, Suzanne and Andrew were informed that a plan would be in place by the time she returned. “We were overwhelmed by the number of experts ready to help our child. They wanted to ensure the best approach,” Suzanne said.

Initially, the ENT team flushed out Ava’s sinuses, providing temporary relief. However, by 1am, Ava’s condition worsened, necessitating further scans. The severity of the infection became clear. It had progressed dramatically in just 48 hours.

Neurosurgeon Mr. Roddy O’Kane explained that brain surgery was necessary to properly clean out the infection. Although this could leave a significant scar on her forehead, Ava’s sisters lovingly reassured her that she would look like Harry Potter, her favourite movie character.

Suzanne said: “We were a mess waiting for Ava but as she exited surgery, there she was with no scar and her hair was beautifully styled in French braids. Mr O’Kane advised that the procedure was a success and that he managed to enter along the hairline to leave minimal scarring. Then the nurses washed and pleated her hair. I thought the surgery had not happened when I saw her.”

Despite the successful surgery, Ava’s journey was far from over. She experienced delayed allergic reactions to antibiotics, requiring multiple rounds of treatment.

“Every time we felt hopeful, something set us back. But Ava’s strength and the hospital’s care kept us going,” Suzanne said.

“We cannot thank the staff enough for their commitment to helping her and to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity for the time they spent with her while she was in the hospital,” she said.

Ava’s kindness and radiant energy have been recognised throughout the hospital. As her treatment nears its end, she is incredibly excited about spending Christmas at home with her family.

This week, she wrote a heartfelt letter to Santa: “Have a Merry Christmas, Santa. Please, can I request one thing, for my whole family to have the same Merry Christmas and my sisters’ Christmas wishes to come true. Thank you, Santa. Love, Ava. XX”