A toddler was rushed to hospital after blood tests revealed he had cancer following bouts of tonsillitis.
Kathryn James was shocked when her son Griff was diagnosed with leukaemia in October last year, as the two-year-old did not display obvious symptoms of the disease such as bruising on his body and nose bleeds.
It was only when Griff went for blood tests after suffering from two bouts of tonsillitis during last summer in July and September that the family discovered Griff has cancer, reports NorthWalesLive.
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He was rushed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital following the diagnosis for immediate treatment.
Mum Kathryn, from Wrexham said: “What I found worse than the chemotherapy and the loss of his hair, was the effect steroids had on Griff.
“He was on them for six weeks and he became really agitated and was not himself at all and those weeks were incredibly upsetting.”
At the moment Griff is on the Children’s Ward at Wrexham Maelor every day receiving treatment for a fungal infection in his chest.
The ongoing infection made the plucky little boy very poorly at Christmas, and Griff had to spend Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day in hospital.
Kathryn has nothing but praise for the staff on the Children’s Ward, saying their support and kindness has made such a difficult time a little easier.
She said: “Griff enjoys going to the Children’s Ward, as the staff make such a huge fuss of him and that makes things so much easier.
“The diagnosis was a huge, huge shock as you never expect that sort of thing to happen to you.
“Also, at the time I was given the diagnosis by myself because of Covid rules my husband, Celyn, couldn’t be there, and I remember one of the nurses asking if I needed a hug and I really did and cried.”
The mum-of-two added: “Griff became really poorly just before Christmas, and we had to spend Christmas Eve in hospital but what was lovely the staff dropped off presents in his room just as if Santa had been.”
Griff is responding well to his treatment for his fungal infection and is expected to go back to Alder Hey for more chemotherapy in the coming weeks.
She is hoping to attend Wrexham Maelor Children’s Ward ‘Rainbow Ball’ taking place on Friday, March 18, as she knows the thousands of pounds raised makes such a huge difference to the ward.
This will be the third ball to take place at Carden Park Hotel & Resort, near Chester.
Becky Morris, Ward Manager of the Children’s Ward at Wrexham Maelor said: “The Rainbow Ball is really important as it makes such a massive difference to what we can buy such as medical equipment-we recently bought a transport incubator for babies.
“We have bought play equipment and toys for the playroom as we’ve recently had to restock after Covid.”
Mrs Morris added: “The ball is a brilliant night out and is organised by staff and supported by Awyr Las the North Wales NHS Charity, our first ball raised £27,000 and the last one £34,000 and because of our incredible principal sponsors SP Energy Networks and the others, all the money raised goes straight to the Children’s Ward.”
This will be the third ball to take place at the luxurious Carden Park Hotel & Resort, near Chester. Tickets cost £50, for more details about the ball and to book please email: lesley.jones10@wales.nhs.uk or Call/Text: 07546194428.
