A mum has spoken of her fears that her son’s cancer has returned for a second time after a new and worrying symptom emerged.
First diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old, Kian Musgrove’s story touched hearts around the world as he repeatedly battled the aggressive childhood cancer.
The eight-year-old, from Prudhoe, Northumberland, fought through a relapse in 2015 and months of gruelling treatment at a New York hospital.
His mum Kat had started to feel hopeful as Kian remained without any signs of disease since his treatment finished in 2018.
But the family were plunged into a nightmare again on Saturday night when Kat was putting Kian to bed and noticed that one of the pupils in his eyes was significantly bigger than the other.
The youngster was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary in an ambulance, where doctors said the symptom was called by Horner’s Syndrome.
The rare condition is caused by damage to nerves in the face, and medics will now run tests to find out what is causing the damage.
It’s a devastating blow for Kat, who said: “I shouldn’t have Googled but I did, and Horner’s Syndrome is often caused by tumours, and one of them is neuroblastoma.
“I’m really hoping I’m wrong. It’s gone from mild worry to really scary, to the worst worry ever.
“He’s been doing okay since he finished treatment, there’s been no evidence of disease.
“I had a bit of hope because it’s been no longer than the nine months it was when he relapsed before.
“Now it’s a very worrying time again.”
As the family wait anxiously for answers, they are starting to fundraise in case Kian needs further treatment in New York.
Kat said: “There is treatment for neuroblastoma brain relapse in New York, in the same hospital as before.
“The chances are if he’s relapsed, he’s going to need surgery.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation, can do so here .
