A three-year-old girl who has been living with a rare, undiagnosed illness will now have to wait up to 40 weeks for a simple operation that could cure her.

Imogen Cowan, of Scalegate Road, Upperby, has been battling ill health for most of her childhood.

Her desperate mother, Amy McGeever, has fought for two years to get doctors to listen.

After finally securing a diagnosis, she was over the moon to hear that something as simple as removing Imogen's tonsils could dramatically improve her quality of life.

But now she is facing a new fight, after being told her daughter may have to wait up to 10 months for the operation.

Imogen, who lives with mum Amy and dad Ryan Cowan, suffers from PFAPA syndrome - a rare illness that results in regular bouts of severe fever, mouth and throat problems.

Amy said it started when she was one, and she's been ill almost every month since. But apart from some initial tests and an incorrect diagnosis of glue ear, there was no further investigation.

"It's been going on since January 2017. She starts off by going really quiet, usually on a night. Then she will absolutely burn up. Her temperature goes up to 40 degrees. She's shaking and burning up. It's really scary," she said.

"Then she'll just lie there for days. They just kept telling me it's viral and put it down to childhood illnesses. I always knew there was something more than that, but nobody listened. They just gave her antibiotics.

"Whatever happened to a mother's instinct? Every time she's been ill I've taken her to the doctor. She's been to our GP, to CHoC, A&E. Nobody would take me seriously."

Amy has been keeping a detailed diary, to prove there is a pattern. It shows Imogen was ill 14 times between January 2017 and January 2018, and a further 15 times between then and February this year.

Each time she has had a high fever, which has lasted several days.

"We've only had one month where she hasn't been ill since 2017. It has affected her life so much. We've not been able to take her on holidays, she's missed out on parties and all those little childhood things you take for granted," said Amy.

"When she's well she's so full of beans, but when she's ill she just lies there. It's heartbreaking to see her like that."

The turning point came in November last year, when Imogen had such a high fever she ended up in hospital.

Feeling helpless, Amy started crying in front of a doctor on the children's ward.

"It was the first time someone has actually sat down and listened to me. I just broke down," she said.

"I can't thank that doctor enough. If it wasn't for him, I'd still be going round in circles."

The doctor ordered fresh blood tests, which detected something was wrong - but it wasn't clear what.

Imogen was referred to the specialist disease centre at Newcastle, where she was diagnosed with PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Cervical Adenitis) - a syndrome that consists of recurrent episodes of fever, sore throat, mouth sores and swelling of the glands in the neck.

It was then that Amy received some good news - there is a potential cure.

"They told me it could potentially be fixed with a tonsillectomy. I've since connected with other parents on Facebook, and they say the operation has made a big difference," she said.

Imogen was referred to Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary to have her tonsils taken out - but they have now been told she may have to wait up to 40 weeks for the routine operation, despite being classed as a priority.

Amy is now desperately pleading with hospital bosses to operate urgently.

"I rang them last week and was told there was a 40-week wait. I was shocked. That's far too long for a little girl who's so ill.

"I told them I'd put a complaint in, but she said it wouldn't get me anywhere.

"I'm not annoyed with the department, but I am annoyed that it's taking so long. At the end of the day, she's suffering - and this should have been picked up years ago," said Amy.

She initially complained to North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust via its Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) - who called Imogen by the wrong name in their response.

The letter blamed winter pressures for the delay, saying the trust had been forced to cancel some pre-planned surgery, leading to longer waits for non-emergency operations.

After being contacted by the News & Star, trust bosses have now arranged to meet with Amy next week.

A spokeswoman said: “After receiving a complaint from Ms McGeever, we have arranged for her to meet with our clinical director for the service in order to discuss her concerns in more detail.”

She added that the 40 weeks referred to was the longest wait, and Imogen may get her surgery sooner.

“During the winter months, we see a higher number of emergency patients meaning our waiting lists for planned procedures can be longer as a result. We continually review our theatre lists in order to ensure that cancer and clinically urgent patients take priority and we are working hard to reduce waiting times for all planned procedures," she added.