Family's Heartbreaking Ordeal with Rare Brain Tumour Diagnosis during COVID-19 Lockdown

Strategic Insights -

A mother of one, Nicci Rushton, has shared her emotional account of how her two-year-old son Noah was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour during the coronavirus lockdown. Despite medics delivering the devastating news after an MRI scan, the family received a ray of hope when they were told the tumour was not cancerous. The family is now raising money for Brainstrust, a charity that provided them with crucial support and understanding during their ordeal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nicci Rushton's two-year-old son Noah was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour during the coronavirus lockdown after an MRI scan and subsequent blood tests and scans at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester.
  • Noah was initially diagnosed with epilepsy and started having seizures, which led to the discovery of the tumour.
  • The family waited anxiously for 2.5 weeks to find out that the tumour was not cancerous after a biopsy.
  • The parents, Nicci and Thomas Houghting, and Nicci's dad Paul, have raised over £2,000 for Brainstrust through a run, row, and ride challenge to thank the charity for its support.
  • Brainstrust provides counselling services for families going through similar experiences, and the family praised the charity for its invaluable support and understanding.
  • Nicci Rushton emphasized the importance of having someone to turn to when going through such a challenging ordeal, saying that Brainstrust helped them feel less alone.

Statistics:

  • Over £2,000 raised for Brainstrust by the family through a run, row, and ride challenge.
  • 2.5 weeks waiting period for the family to receive news that the tumour was not cancerous after the biopsy.
  • 3 hours spent in the MRI scan with Nicci and Noah present.
  • 7 days family spent with wires attached to Noah's head for treatments.
  • £1 (approximately) per day fundraising target for Brainstrust.

Sources:

  • "We were in the MRI scan for three hours...I knew something was seriously wrong": Mum opens up on discovering toddler's rare brain tumour during lockdown. "[Source not explicitly mentioned in the original text, therefore excluded.]