A TEENAGER who lived in a 'bubble' to avoid infection while doctors treated a mystery illness will return to school on Monday after ten months away from classes.

Ethan Greenwood said he was excited, but a little nervous, about rejoining friends at Guiseley School after the half-term break.

The 14-year-old had a bone marrow transplant last summer at the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle and had to be kept in isolation in a sealed 'bubble' room.

His life-threatening condition, so rare doctors could not name it, was attacking his stomach, pancreas, liver, spleen and both his lungs.

The teenager had to keep away from situations where he could pick up germs, but doctors have now decided he is strong enough to start getting his life back to normal.

"I'm excited but a bit nervous about Monday. I can't wait to see my friends properly again and just get back to normal. I'm not sure what my first lesson will be but i hope it's history," he said.

Ethan will still have to see doctors for regular check-ups but he is doing well, said his mother, Sharon Greenwood.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Ethan Greenwood getting ready for school

Professor Andrew Cant, Consultant in Paediatric Immunology, added: "Ethan is now eight months post transplant and has done extremely well with a dramatic improvement in his health.

"I am delighted that he is ready to go back to school. This would not have been possible without the pioneering work of the supraregional centre in Newcastle exploring the underlying causes, and constantly working on techniques to improve transplantation, in children with disorders such as Ethan’s, supported by the Bubble Foundation."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Ethan Greenwood, with his mum, Sharon Greenwood

Family and friends have raised more than £6,000 so far for the Bubble Foundation UK. The charity carries out research and supports the unit specialising in immune deficiencies and autoimmune disorders where Ethan was treated.

Research into Ethan's mystery illness is getting closer to finding out the cause of his faulty immune system and last week Ethan's parents went had hospital tests to help the investigation.

Mrs Greenwood said: "The results of these findings won't help Ethan - we were fully aware without the stem cell transplant he would have died, but it may help other children recover through medication without the need of a transplant.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Ethan Greenwood in his 'bubble' room

"This research couldn't take place without the Bubble Foundation who raise much needed funds to support children from all across the North of England, who are suffering from rare and life threatening immune diseases."

The family has got more fundraising ideas in the pipeline including Mrs Greenwood taking on the Great North Run challenge.

Ethan's justgiving page in aid of the BubbleFoundation UK is at justgiving.com/Ethan-Greenwood2