Cailey Wu leaves Sydney Children’s Hospital after being told she may never walk again

A year ago, doctors feared Cailey Wu would never walk again after a tumor left her with a spinal injury and paralysis from the waist down.

The brave young fighter, 11, from Penshurst, south Sydney, had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the growth that was later discovered to be Ewing’s sarcoma – a rare cancer most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults.

She then endured month after month of radiation and chemotherapy while confined to a wheelchair in a desperate attempt to save her life.

But she never gave up hope and after a year of treatment and careful rehabilitation, she miraculously left Sydney Children’s Hospital this week and is returning to school.

A year ago, doctors feared Cailey Wu (pictured) would never walk again after a tumor left her with a spinal injury and paralysis from the waist down

Cailey Wu’s physical therapist (pictured) said she initially had no movement in her legs at all

Her incredible recovery has amazed the hospital staff who have accompanied her every step of the way through the traumatic journey.

“When I first saw her after spinal surgery, she had absolutely no movement in her legs,” physical therapist Sky Fosbrook told 9News.

“She went from a wheelchair to using crutches on her own.

“It was just amazing.”

The tumor had put pressure on the little girl’s spinal cord, damaging nerves and making it impossible for her to move from the waist down.

“It was a bit scary, I didn’t really know what was going on,” Cailey said.

Simply removing it was only half the battle, however, as she now had to learn to walk all over again.

In addition to eight months of intensive radiation and chemotherapy to treat the cancer, she also began grueling rehabilitation exercises to get the nerves in her legs working again.

Cailey Wu is pictured before being diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma

During this time, Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick became a second home for the Wu family.

Her father Dan said it turned the family’s world upside down.

“One day everything is fine and then suddenly we are in the hospital,” he said.

But Cailey defied all odds and is now in remission and has just started school again.

Although medical staff have warned her that there may still be a few bumps in the road before she fully heals, they have no doubt that she will be ready to take them.

‘It is so good. We really couldn’t have asked for more,” said her mum Gemma with a proud smile for her brave daughter.

Cailey, who is now in remission, is pictured with her brother Blake, father Dan and mother Gemma

source