A mum is raising awareness of the signs of brain cancer in children after her nine-year-old son was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour - which doctors initially mistook for long covid. Jess Huckerby, 36, from Wolverhampton, became worried when Aston began suffering with headaches, vomiting and extreme fatigue last March.
Aston was sleeping up to 36 hours straight and struggled to stay awake for more than 30 minutes - which his GP recognised as a long-term side effect of coronavirus and referred him to a clinic. But he was turned away without a diagnosis and then suffered a black-out and seizure in August. A CT scan showed swelling on his brain and MRI results confirmed he had a tumour.
Jess told the Mirror: "There needs to be more awareness raised about childhood cancers.
"The NHS is wonderful but doctors don't have the time or resources they need to recognise red flags immediately.
"Aston's symptoms ticked some of the boxes of long covid, but he could have been diagnosed with cancer much sooner."
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In August, Aston underwent three surgeries at Birmingham Children's Hospital to remove the tumour in his brain.
He was given chemotherapy until November and then daily intensive radiotherapy treatment for a month.
"We told Aston that he had a lot of muck in his head and it was stopping his brain from working properly," Jess explained.
"When he'd finished all his surgeries, we accidentally dropped the 'cancer' word and he got really upset.
"But Aston is such a positive and cheerful boy that after five minutes of tears, he took it in his stride.
"I am incredibly proud of him. He is always the kid that makes other children laugh and is so caring.
"The ward staff have even asked him to be a cancer ambassador when he turns 10 as he's dealt with it all amazingly."
"Having cancer has changed a lot of things in my life but there's no point in negativity," Aston said.
"I'm hoping the treatment I'm having is going to make those tumours explode and go away. I can't wait to get back to football and school."
Football-loving Aston - who was named after his dad Andy Barnett's favourite team - was singled out for a visit by Aston Villa talent scouts just before he collapsed.
Now his goalkeeper dreams have been put on hold momentarily while he recovers.
Aston said: "I love playing football and I'm a goalkeeper but I can't play right now. When I feel sad, snuggling with mum and talking to my best friend cheers me up."
As well as receiving a video message off England's Harry Maguire, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez got in touch which Aston said "made his whole life".
Jess, who is also mum to 13-year-old Stephen, is hopeful that the remaining tumours in Aston's brain and spinal cord will soon be dormant.
"We don't know what the future holds for Aston so we take it one day at a time and accept the here and now," Jess said.
"Aston is back to his old self and he's our boy. It's not the end of the world and there are amazing doctors and treatments out there."
Aston recently received a Star Award from Cancer Research UK, in partnership with TK Maxx, which honours the bravery and resilience of children affected by cancer.
"To receive the award means so much because it shows that other people recognise how special we know Aston is," Jess added.
You can donate to Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People on their website.
Do you have a real-life story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
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