Patsy's Story

Since I first became ill I seem to have missed a lot of school with the different symptoms that were going on.

First of all it all started with horrific headaches they felt like my head was going to explode I seemed to take a lot of tablets but nothing seemed to work.

When my hand went numb I was really scared I didn’t know what was happening to me. I had to keep going back and forward to the hospital to get checked over by the consultant. And I had to go into hospital for steroids put through a needle in my arm, they lasted 3 days but being stuck in hospital was like being in prison. But after a short while I seemed to get a little better. Then my eye went blurry I could hardly see out of my left eye again I was back in the hospital for steroids. Again they seem to work and I got my sight back.

My back started hurting and my mam could not even cuddle me because of the pain on my skin.

I didn’t know what to think at the time I just wanted it all to come to an end. In May 2007 after various tests and scans Dr McFarland told me I had MS, I had to ask him again because I just seemed to go into a day dream. I couldn’t believe that I had MS, what was going to happen to me? Things started to go through my mind like could I still have children? Am I going to die? I didn’t even know what MS was. Dr McFarland told me that he knew there was a trial in Cambridge for MS. I later found out that I was too young for the trial but Dr McFarland said that I could still have it because he had spoken to some other Doctors that he works with and they were prepared to give me the drug too.

I was due to go into hospital for Campath on the 16th of July.

When I got into hospital I was really scared because they told me I might have a few side effects. Like high temperature and rigors.

I had loads of doctors come to see me. They put cannula in both hands and then they put the drugs up. They started on 1ml an hour for 15 minutes, and that was fine, then they put it up to 2ml that was fine too I thought that this was ok the only thing was I was hooked up to this machine and I was already bored. Then they put it up to 4mls and again this was ok.

It wasn’t until they put the machine up to 8mls an hour that it all started... the pain started in my head I was just screaming with the pain then my whole body started to shake, I had doctors and nurses in the room and they gave me some medicine in the cannula I can’t really remember a lot more because the medicine made me very sleepy but I did find out afterwards that they gave me pethadine to stop me shaking and another drug, I had a really high temperature that is what caused the rigors (shaking) after that the doctors were checking on me .I was told that I was very sleepy for the rest of the day. My friend came into hospital to see me and I can’t even remember. Mam said I was talking to her. But like say I cannot remember at all.

When I woke up the next day my Mam was telling me what had happened I didn’t believe her she said I was talking to people that weren’t even there, but I felt great that day but they hooked me up to the drip again and I was so bored for the rest of the week I had to stay in bed. I think I was getting a bit depressed I started to cry for no reason. When my Mam asked what was wrong I just told her that I couldn’t take any more of being stuck in hospital I was so pleased when they told me I could go home.

It is now October and I feel 100% better I get a few of the symptoms but nothing like I did have.

Gateshead schoolgirl Patsy Peebles, has touched thousands of families across the UK in a national fundraising campaign.

Struck by her bravery in battling the debilitating condition, residents have pledged cash to the MS Society in huge numbers.

The charity posted donation envelopes to 190,000 homes, featuring a picture of Patsy and a message from her dad Billy.

Bosses have been overwhelmed by the six-figure sum collected since March, which breaks records for an MS Society mailing fundraiser.

Chris Bentley, spokesman for the MS Society, said: “In the eight months since we were made aware of Patsy and her family, they have worked tirelessly to help raise awareness of multiple sclerosis in children and young people.

“Their involvement has culminated in Patsy featuring in our recent fundraising appeal, which has generated a fantastic amount of donations from our supporters and members of the public.”

The MS Society was keen to use Patsy’s positive attitude and adopted her as the face of a national awareness drive after she appeared in the Chronicle.

Patsy, a pupil at Gateshead’s Thomas Hepburn School, became the only person under 18 to try out the trial MS drug Campath.

Hand in hand with her new Big Brother, Patsy Peebles stole the show.

The teenager was making her first catwalk appearance as a young ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

She was accompanied on the runway at Europe’s biggest MS conference by Liam McGough of Big Brother fame.

Dressed in a print dress and red high heals, Patsy showed off her stunning makeover.

Patsy, 15, became one of the youngest people ever diagnosed with MS in the UK last summer.

The pupil at Gateshead’s Thomas Hepburn School said: “I really enjoyed the show and seeing Liam again was brilliant. We went to Harvey Nichols, where I had to pick my clothes for the fashion show. I was wearing about £3,000 worth of designer clothes.”

The MS Society was keen to use Patsy’s positive attitude in the face of an incurable illness and adopted her as a young role model after the Chronicle told her story last November.

Liam, of Lanchester, County Durham, who finished third in Big Brother 8, has also joined the MS campaign in support of his mum, who is a sufferer.

Patsy was a guest speaker at the charity’s flagship national conference, which aimed to raise the profile of teenage sufferers.

She gave an insight into her experience of living with MS in front of health professionals to make them think about how they treat children diagnosed with the condition.

Her parents Bill and Joanna were in tears as they watched their eldest daughter at MS Life in Manchester over the weekend.

Bill, 39, of Deckham, Gateshead, said: “We were so proud. Joanna was in bits. She couldn’t stop crying she was so happy.”

The MS Society exhibition attracted more than 3,000 visitors, with renowned medics on hand to share their expertise on the condition.

The weekend ended in the My Style fashion show. Patsy was the youngest model and received rapturous applause.

Source: Chronicle Live © 2008 NCJ Media Limited (03/04/08)

SHE’S smiled through dark times, and now Patsy Peebles will be a symbol of hope.

The Tyneside schoolgirl will become a national face in the fight against multiple sclerosis in young people.

The MS Society has asked Patsy, 15, to become a model as they up their campaign to raise awareness of children with the condition.

Her first catwalk assignment will be at the charity’s MS Life flagship conference in March.

And she looks set to feature in major publicity as part of the UK’s biggest MS campaign.

MS Society spokesman Chris Bentley said: “Patsy has shown amazing courage after being diagnosed with MS at such a young age, and we are delighted she has agreed to be a model and hope that her determination is an inspiration to others in her situation. Children and teenagers with MS need early diagnosis and better support and it is fantastic that Patsy is helping the MS Society to raise these issues.

“MS Life is our flagship national event and we are expecting 3,000 people to descend on Manchester.”

Patsy, who is studying for GCSEs, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was asked to be a model. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“If I can help young MS sufferers and make people aware that there are children with this then I’ll do whatever I can.”

Earlier this month we reported how Patsy, at just 14, had become one of the youngest people in the UK ever to be told she has debilitating MS, an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.

And the pupil at Gateshead’s Thomas Hepburn School is the only person under 18 to try out the MS wonder drug Campath.

Patsy lives with her parents, Bill and Joanna, sister Anna, 13, and twin brothers Connor and Kyle, 11, in Mount Pleasant, Gateshead.

Her story is being used by the MS Society to highlight issues faced by young people, and a journal of her daily highs and lows will be published in the society’s newsletter.

MS Life boasts information talks and workshops, alongside more than 150 exhibitors showcasing products and services.

All money raised at the event will go to the MS Society.

The Peebles family want to set up an MS support group for young people. Contact them through Chris Bentley of the MS Society on (0208) 438 0700.

Source: The Chronicle © 2007 owned by or licensed to NCJ Media Limited. (23/11/07)

They live 3,500 miles apart, but shattering news has brought them together.

Olivia Visconti, 14, has suffered the same shock diagnosis as Tyneside schoolgirl Patsy Peebles.

The New York teenager has been told by doctors she will have to battle with multiple sclerosis.

Earlier this month we reported how Patsy had become one of the youngest people in the UK ever to be told she has debilitating MS, an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.

And at just 14, the pupil at Gateshead’s Thomas Hepburn School is the only person under 18 to try out the MS wonder drug Campath.

In August, specialists in the US finally diagnosed Olivia with MS after she suffered seven months of pain, impaired vision and numbness.

Olivia’s mum Rina, 43, an estate agent, saw our story online in her American home, and now the two teenagers are set to become penpals to support each other through difficult times ahead.

Olivia, who attends Wantagh High School in Long Island, has sent a message of hope to Patsy.

“Staying positive and remaining active has helped me get through this difficult time,” she said.

“I will not let this disease get me down. I have too much to do now and have so many hopes and dreams for the future. My family has been so supportive and I couldn’t have done it without them.

“When my mum showed me the article about Patsy I realised there was someone out there just like me.

“I hope to meet Patsy and stay in touch and talk about how we are feeling and if we can help other teens by reaching out to them, that would be my goal. I realised that I am not alone and I want to help her and together we can fight this thing.”

Olivia takes Rebif in the US where teenage MS is extremely rare. “I don’t really have any more side-effects but I am still very tired,” she said.

“I have good days and bad and have missed a lot of school. I am hoping that once my body adjusts to the medication I will be back to being a normal schoolkid.”

Patsy, now 15, lives with her parents, Bill and Joanna, sister Anna, 13, and twin brothers Connor and Kyle, 11, in Mount Pleasant, Gateshead.

The Peebles family want to set up an MS support group for young people. Contact them through Chris Bentley of the MS Society on (0208) 438 0700.

Source: The Chronicle ©owned by or licensed to NCJ Media Limited 2007 (16/11/07)

© Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC)