Morley tot, Reggie Davison, was just four years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour
“He lost the ability to walk, swallow and couldn’t open his eyes for a week”(Image: Kirsty Benson )
A Leeds mum has spoken of her little boy’s “bravery” after what doctors said was acid reflux turned out to be so much worse.
Primary schooler Reggie Davison, from Morley, Leeds, was only four when his mother, Kirsty Benson, 34, had a “gut feeling” that something was wrong with her son. Kirsty said the family were back and forth to the GP with little Reggie, after he suddenly started vomiting and became exhausted.
The GP initially assumed Reggie was suffering from acid reflux, and he was prescribed an indigestion remedy – but when he started vomiting at school and became wobbly on his feet and stumbling while walking home, Kirsty became convinced he had a brain tumour.
Kirsty said: “Even though my gut instinct told me he had a brain tumour, it was still a huge shock being told that was the case.”
They already knew a Morley family with a child who had displayed similar symptoms. Reggie once again ended up at Leeds General Infirmary, and this time he had a CT scan, and just 30 minutes later, Kirsty and his dad, Dan, were told their son had a “medulloblastoma” brain tumour.
This meant he needed 12 hours of surgery to remove the tumour, which Kirsty described as the “worst day of her life.” Kirsty said: “It was a really difficult time for the family when he was diagnosed. Waiting for him to get through the 12 hours of surgery was painful and something I will never forget.”
Reggie and his family(Image: Kirsty Benson )
After the surgery, Doctors told the family that if Reggie had been admitted just one week later, then he wouldn’t have survived.
However, the youngster was still left with a long road to recovery: Reggie developed Posterior Fossa Syndrome (PFS), which meant he was unable to speak. He also lost the ability to walk, swallow and couldn’t open his eyes for a week.
His parents did their own physio and rehab at home, carrying Reggie around and giving him soft food which he could swallow easily like a baby.
Reggie was enrolled in an international clinical trial called SIOP-HRMB, funded by Cancer Research UK in partnership with The Brain Tumour Charity.
This involved two rounds of chemotherapy treatment followed by five weeks of intensive proton beam therapy bi-daily at The Christie Hospital in Manchester. The treatment proved gruelling as it included two general anaesthetics a day. In his short life, Reggie has now had a staggering 61 general anaesthetics.
The family, including older brother Rio, 10, moved into an apartment in Manchester city centre for the whole time Reggie was having treatment. Rio attended the hospital school.
Reggie and brother Rio at a Leeds United game (Image: Kirsty Benson )
Reggie then had oral “maintenance” chemotherapy at home for six months and responded well. His last scan was clear. He is now back at Morley Newlands Academy, which he loves, and continues to watch Leeds United, a team he is passionate about. He will still require regular check-ups.
Kirsty said: “We are also so proud of Rio for stepping up and being caring, patient and showing such maturity at the age of 10. It’s great to see Reggie back at school now and loving life with his friends.”
For his bravery, Kirsty nominated Reggie for a ‘Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award’. Star Awards help shine a light on the unique challenges still faced by children and young people like Reggie.
Get breaking news in Leeds straight to your phone
Get all the latest big and breaking Leeds news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here.
If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.
Every child nominated for the Star Award receives the accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces, including children’s poet and author Joseph Coelho, US singer, dancer and reality TV star JoJo Siwa, pop icon Pixie Lott, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for West Yorkshire, Jane Bullock, said: “We’re committed to driving forward progress to ensure more children and young people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. After everything Reggie went through, it was an absolute privilege to celebrate his incredible courage with a Star Award.”
Get all the latest and breaking news in Leeds by signing up to our newsletter here.
