Little Leah could be spending her fourth birthday at hospital in the US, despite indications that the toddler was going to be discharged earlier this week.

Speaking to The Times from the Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas where the three-year-old underwent lifesaving surgery, her father Jonathan Xuereb said Leah was meant to be discharged on Monday but tests at the beginning of the week showed the girl was suffering from a small infection. The tests also indicated some complications in her pancreas.

This means she could be spending her birthday on Sunday in hospital, and her mother Zhana might also be spending her birthday on Tuesday by her daughter’s bedside.

On November 12, Leah underwent a complicated operation to remove a very rare form of stomach cancer, after previous treatment in London failed.

Leah’s grandmother Antonia, who coincidentally celebrates her 66th birthday today, hopes the girl will be home for Christmas. The family hopes follow-up tests will be carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London when the festivities are over.

Meanwhile, Leah is being taken on short walks and her parents guide her to the playroom, hoping she would be encouraged to play, but she still does not feel like walking or playing. Despite her low spirits, she still smiles and laughs, Mr Xuereb said, adding Leah used to feel low whenever she underwent chemotherapy. This time round, however, she is tumour free, and her hair is already growing back.

“Recovery is taking its time, but we’re better off now than we were a couple of months ago, so we remain grateful to the Maltese people and the Maltese Government, because without their support we would not be here.

“Also, the worst is over and I’d rather the doctors have their eyes on her 24/7 since she’s not fully recovered, as it gives us peace of mind,” he said.

Although her surgeons were confident they had removed the entire tumour, her body temperature kept fluctuating and she suffered from different infections. Now her parents cannot wait until she starts eating again – and hopefully is back in Malta for Christmas.

“I always loved Malta, but now I appreciate home more. Over here you feel cut off from everything and everyone – we have to travel some two miles for groceries. It’s so quiet and lonely,” Mr Xuereb said.