A devastated mother has spoken of the moment she had to tell her 13-year-old boy he isn't going to make it, after he started limping at the beginning of June. Arnold Chappin, 13, was taken to see his GP by mum Ruth after he lost his balance and started limping at the start of this month.
Arnold then started struggling to put on his socks and shoes and was finding it difficult to use his left hand. He was taken for tests and an MRI scan - where doctors found a 'large mass' on his brain.
Last Wednesday, his parents were told that Arnold has developed an aggressive tumour called Brain Stem Glioma, and may have between six months and a year left to live, reports MEN.
Ruth said: "It all started about three weeks ago when he started limping on his left side. I noticed he was holding his arm up and that he seemed to be off balance and kept falling over a lot.
"He can be very adventurous and clumsy so at first we just thought it was what he is like as a person. He is always rushing around, climbing up things and falling over.
Arnold in the hospital bed with his brother Ivan (right) and cousin (middle) (Image: Ruth Chappin)
"Then I really started to see him deteriorate with his balance. He couldn't put his shoes and socks on and was unable to use his left hand. I decided to go straight to the GP and I could see how concerned they were.
"I started to get so worried. The results came through and they said they had found a mass on his brain.
"They sent us to Addenbrooke's in Cambridge and we stayed over last Monday before they did more tests. When we saw the consultant, I knew straight away it was going to be bad news because of the way he was. Then they told us there is nothing they can do, it is a really aggressive tumour and that there is no cure.
Arnold is described as an 'adventurous' teenage boy who is 'full of enthusiasm for life' (Image: Ruth Chappin)
"We couldn't believe it. We were shocked and just completely devastated. They told us if he didn't have radiation he has six to nine months to live, but with radiation treatment he could live for up to a year."
The family are now looking to relocate to create final happy memories with Arnold. Ruth recalled the moment that she lay beside him in the hospital bed and told him the news.
She said: "Once we found out the news and told him he had cancer, he kept acting questions. He knew how serious it was and picked up on that. We tried to be positive in front of him, but it's impossible.
"He kept saying 'am I going to lose my hair?' and 'am I going to be okay?' At the beginning we could reassure him because we weren't expecting it to be so devastating. As a parent, you are grasping onto any kind of hope.
"I was lying in the hospital bed early in the morning last Friday and and asked me, 'am I going to survive mum?' I knew I had to tell him the truth. I looked at him and said no, you're not, and he just broke down crying.
"I told him he wouldn't be on his own and we would be with him every step of the way. I've been blown away by the way he's handled it all.
"You have to just to try and carry on as much as you can. You have to try to forget about it all for a few minutes and pretend it's not really happening.
"He is so courageous. I feel like he has taught me how to live life to the fullest. He's so positive and full of energy and enthusiasm for life."
He will need to use a wheelchair and will eventually stop being able to speak and eat.
Arnold (right) with siblings George, Stella, Henry and Ivan (Image: Ruth Chappin)
Ruth's brother set up a GoFundMe page to try and help them gather the funds to move and also to give Arnold the chance to experience things he has always dreamt of, such as going out in an Audi R8, zip-lining and meeting his favourite rapper Jordan McCann. Donations can be made here.
"I want to be able to let him experience as many things as he can, but I don't know how fast he's going to deteriorate," Ruth added. "We want to make sure this is the best year of his life, surrounded by family."
