A YOUNG family's nightmare became a reality on Christmas Day after doctors told them they had found four brain tumours on their four-year-old son.
Complaining of neck pain for a few weeks, four-year-old Jaxon Garvey was taken to A&E although his parents presumed everything was fine after his blood test results came back clear.
However, as his condition worsened and he began to lose the ability to walk properly, doctors referred the four-year-old for an MRI scan, which was just days before Christmas.
Following an anxious wait, parents Melissa Roberts and Callam Garvey were given the devastating diagnosis that Jaxon had four brain tumours on December 25, caused by a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
READ > Patients well enough to leave hospital still taking up beds in 'challenging' month
Concerned by the results, doctors at Manchester Children’s Hospital called Jaxon in for an intensive 11-hour surgery just three days later, where 95% of three tumours were successfully removed.
The brave four-year-old has now started his first round of chemotherapy in the hope to dry and shrink the remaining tumours, before doctors make another decision on the best way to move forward.
Despite the intensity of the procedure on such a young boy, Melissa's sister Ashley said that he has so far responded well to the treatment.
Describing her nephew as a "gorgeous, hilarious, loving and kind little boy", Ashley said: "Thankfully, Jaxon is so much better than he was before the operation, and so far there seems to be no side effects.
"He's just been getting on with it and taking everything in his stride.
"He was more upset that his hair started falling out [due to the chemotherapy] because he said he looked like his grandad!"
With another young son at home, Jaxon's devastated parents have been have had to take indefinite leave from work in order to care for the two boys.
In order to support the young family during this "unimaginably difficult" time, Ashley has created a fundraising page to take away any financial stress for the family.
She added: "Melissa and Callam have been doing the best that they can, but they have been constantly back and forth from the hospital to be there for Jaxon and look after their other child.
"The fundraising page was a way for people to help them during this unimaginably difficult time, and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated so far."
To support Jaxon and his family, you can donate to Ashley's fundraising page here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here