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Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Brownson

South Shields boy diagnosed with tumour after photo revealed strange flash in eye celebrates being cancer free

South Shields mum Danielle Scott knew something wasn't right when she spotted a strange "twinkle" in her son's eye.

Adorable youngster Jacob Tulley was a healthy and active 10-month-old until a photograph revealed a strange white flash in his eye that mum Danielle instinctively felt needed to be checked out.

Doctors discovered that Jacob from Whiteleas had a tumour in his eye and he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called retinoblastoma.

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The courageous little boy immediately underwent chemotherapy at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and was then transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital for the rest of his treatment.

The last few years have been hell for mum Danielle and step-dad Ollie Hyde, as their son Jacob underwent laser therapy and cryotherapy to fight off the cancer.

A flash that appeared in Jacob Tulley's eye in photographs alerted mum Danielle Scott that something wasn't right. (Danielle Scott)

But Jacob, now aged five, has received the incredible news he is cancer free and rang the bell in front of medics at Birmingham Children's Hospital last week.

Mum-of-three Danielle, 28, said it was an emotional moment and credits doctors with saving her son's life and eye.

She said: "We were not expecting it! We had him down in Birmingham for his six-month check-up and had been taken into a room after his eye test was done.

"His consultant said, 'I think we are ready on the oncology side to discharge him now.'

Jacob Tulley, five, celebrates ringing the bell at Birmingham Children's Hospital. (Danielle Scott)

"She said, 'He is OK, he is done.'" Jacob was then invited to ring the bell to signal that he was finally cancer free.

Danielle continued: "It was the most overwhelming experience. He rang the bell and you can see on his face in the video how he is overwhelmed by it.

"I looked at him and said, 'You have done it!'

"He asked, 'Do I not have to come back? Are my eye tests done?'

"I said: 'Yes, they're done' and he just broke down in tears. I was crying and we just hugged in total silence just me and him.

"It was so overwhelming. It was beautiful and such a nice moment. We just cried all day."

Friends and family are now set to celebrate with a party at the Hedworth Hall in South Shields on Saturday, June 17 featuring Spiderman, along with a bouncy castle and soft play by Bris Bouncy Castle in Jarrow.

"I can't believe it is over," she said.

"I feel like a weight has been lifted and I think Jacob feels the same. It's so nice."

She added: "I am so unbelievably proud of him, he is such a brave little boy."

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