A boy's "regular nose bleeds", bruising and paleness led to a devastating diagnosis.
Lewis Wright, from Southport, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in July 2020, just four days before his 12th birthday. The now teenager endured months of chemotherapy treatment at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Lewis was told he was cancer free back in March 2021. However, the "nightmare" started again in August this year when Lewis, 14, relapsed. Mum Kayleigh Sherran told the ECHO Lewis started showing symptoms such as being pale, bruising from the slightest touch and he was having nose bleeds regularly.
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On the same day as having blood tests, Lewis and his family were told the cancer had returned. The teen recently underwent a bone marrow transplant and will have to spend Christmas in Manchester Children's Hospital.
It means Lewis will have will remain in Manchester during Christmas in an isolation room until he is well enough to come home. Lewis is only allowed to see his mum and stepdad Stuart.
Since publishing Lewis' story, messages of support have flooded in for the 14-year-old and his family. Writing on the ECHO Facebook page Stephen Banks said: "You are an amazing young man Lewis stay strong you will win this battle in my prayers sending love."
Jackie Price added: "Sending love and prayers for a speedy recovery and wishing you all the very best in love luck and happiness for the new year."
Rosie Mae also said: "My god this is heartbreaking. Just can't imagine as a family what they are going through. Sending positivity and praying the transplant works. One Christmas wish from me is this boy makes a full recovery and lives a happy and healthy life."
Sharon Macleod said: "What a trooper, a son to be proud of. Wishing you best wishes and the best time you can have under the circumstances."
Kayleigh said after the relapse Lewis has had to endure chemotherapy "twice as strong" as the last time he was treated and the side effects have "hit him hard". However she said Lewis "never complains."
Kayleigh said: "He will remain in Manchester in an isolation room until he is well enough to come home which means unfortunately he will spend Christmas in hospital. He can’t have any visitors other than myself and Stu by his side which means he also has to spend Christmas away from his sister and his family. This will stay the same until he is able to come home, which won't be until the end of January or possibly February.
“Lewis is currently suffering from jaundice, nausea, rashes, temperatures, and lethargy just to name a few of the side effects. Despite all this he is still smiling his way through reassuring his family he will be ok.
"I couldn't be any more proud of my boy and how he copes in such horrendous, heartbreaking circumstances. All I can hope for is that this horrible disease doesn't return again and that his body accepts the transplant.”
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