James's Story

James started being sick, losing weight and having headaches in March 2024. After numerous GP appointments and 111 calls, James was finally seen by the pediatric team at QMC in Nottingham a month or so later. He was seen in the eye clinic and we were told there was a build of pressure on his brain. The next day he had an MRI scan and we were given the devestating news that James had a mass on his brain and the doctors thought it was medulloblastoma. The cancer had spread in his brain and to his spine.

James had surgery, which lasted over 12 hours, to debulk the tumour a few days later. As the fluid on his brain did not drain, he had to have two more surgeries to insert a drain and then a shunt within a further week or so.

The disease progression was very aggressive, so James started chemotherapy within a few weeks of the initial MRI scan. He then had 6 weeks of radiotherapy and 4 rounds of St. Judes protocol high dose chemotherapy. We spent most of our time staying in hospital between April and December 2024.

Before starting to be unwell, James played for his local football team and had kickboxing lessons each week. Following surgery, he was unable to move his legs for months. He has slowly started to learn to walk again.

Despite everything James has been going through he has helped others. James has raised over £20,000 so far by making personalised bracelets and keyrings. We are so proud of James.

James is currently on maintenance chemotherapy for at least 6 months. He will have a scan every 3 months and his next one is in March.

We are really looking forward to some family time together. Thank you to Bens foundation for giving us the opportunity to make special memories.