Girl unrecognisable returning to school after beating brain cancer

Brave Kara McInally got the all clear in June after battling brain cancer for 19 months.

We previously reported how the eight-year-old had been trying to recover from a grade three anaplastic ependymoma tumour her after suffering headaches.

Now Kara’s mum, Laura McInally, 35, feels a “weight off her shoulders” and shared pictures of her daughter at the start of primary four compared to the end.

Kara looked unrecognisable at the end of the school year compared to the start after finally getting the all clear. (Image: Sourced)

On comparing Kara at the start of the school term to the end she said:

"On the left: first day of Primary 4.

"Almost finished chemo with one cycle left to go. Neutrophenic. Pale. Borderline underweight. Sick. Losing her hair. Still smiling though.

"On the right: last day of Primary 4.

"Overcame a relapse, two more brain surgeries and a bacterial infection in her lungs. Healthy weight. Healthy colour. Hair growing back. Vibrant. Thriving. Living.

"And ALL CLEAR of cancer."

Kara has been in hospital a lot (Image: Sourced)

Laura also told the Glasgow Times: “We are absolutely elated at the news [that Kara is in remission]!

“The relief and weight that’s lifted from our shoulders is phenomenal.

“We’re so happy to see Kara healthy and living after everything she's had to overcome.

“We don’t tell Kara the true extent of her illness so we have never told her of her relapse.

“When we told Kara her scans looked good, she was delighted.”

Kara underwent months of treatment for brain cancer (Image: Sourced)

Laura set up an Instagram account to follow Kara’s cancer journey and has been giving followers updates on her progress.

She believes becoming vulnerable and sharing the painful journey could help raise awareness while helping other families.

Recently she posted: “Not going to lie …. at times I didn’t think Kara would reach this milestone,” while showing Kara’s incredible progress.

Kara is excited to feel like herself again (Image: Sourced)

It comes after the youngster suddenly struggled with headaches and was taken for an eye test in 2021.

Opticians immediately referred Kara to University Hospital Hairmyres where a scan confirmed a growth beneath her skull.

She had a “golf ball-sized” tumour removed from her brain and underwent 33 rounds of proton beam therapy and seven rounds of chemo in a desperate hope to recover.

Now at last she has been given the all-clear and a chance to get normality back, which her family celebrated by taking her on a dream trip to Orlando.

Kara has been fighting hard to get better (Image: Sourced)

She is thrilled to be back at school starting primary 5 (Image: Sourced)

Posting on Instagram Laura wrote: “For Kara, she has waited 19 months … as a family, we’ve waited 19 months … all of Sassy’s followers have waited those 19 months with us … then FINALLY, that phone call came today.

“I actually cannot believe I am writing these words, no more surgery and no more treatment. Someone pinch us.

“Our firstborn has no cancer. Not one little trace, in her beautiful head.

“Our Sassy has finally WON her battle. We are beyond ecstatic at this news.

“To all of Sassy’s followers, you were with us as we celebrated every milestone and suffered so many setbacks/ “You offered such uplifting words when we were at our lowest.

“You showed Kara that she was not alone in her fight and that she had an entire army behind her.”

You can follow Kara's journey on Instagram @sassy_wee_lassie