WITHIN just a few weeks teenage cancer sufferer Abigail Taylor-Silk should know if an attempt to cure her illness has been successful.

For two years the 13-year-old remained upbeat despite countless scans and gruelling chemotherapy sessions to rid her of Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Last Wednesday, she completed a two-month course of experimental chemotherapy at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, after initial treatment failed to shrink malignant tumours in her neck and chest.

On May 11, Abigail, from St Andrew's Close in Wroughton, will undergo her final scan. Her family should receive the results good or bad in a few weeks.

Her mum, Denise, 39, admits she is anxious, but is determined to look on the bright side for Abigail's sake.

She said: "You have to keep plodding on there's nothing else you can do.

"We are really struggling for ideas now. This latest batch of treatment was experimental.

"Abigail found it really tough and tiring, but she's getting by."

Although the Ridgeway School pupil spent a night in hospital each week while she recovered from the affects of the energy-sapping sessions, she refused to let that destroy her social life.

"Abigail has continued to do things that the average teenage girl likes to do, such as going to the cinema with friends and going shopping with her mum," said Mrs Taylor-Silk.

"Over that time she has also been going into school occasionally. I think being around her friends has really helped her."

Meanwhile, Abigail's plight has helped bring her community together.

After hearing that it was her dream to swim with dolphins, friends of the Taylor-Silks formed the fundraising group, Smile.

They quickly raised their £2,500 target though various sponsored events, which included a trek around Barbury Castle.

Not content with that however, the group extended the target to ensure the whole family could accompany her.

Currently more than £6,000 has flowed through the account.

Grateful Mrs Taylor-Silk said she has been overwhelmed by the amount of support her family has received.

She said: "Everyone has been great. Florida has given Abigail something to aim for and she has needed that over the past few months.

"Now we are waiting to see what next months scan shows, before we set a date for the trip.

"We want her to be well enough for her to really enjoy it before we book."