Theo's Story

In October 2023, our son Hugo started to become unwell with loud breathing, and a cough that he struggled to catch his breath with.

We were told it was likely croup. We then had a chest x ray and told it was showing an infection and he was admitted to our local hospital for oral antibiotics and oxygen. He was discharged after 2 days. His symptoms did not change after being on 2 lots of antibiotics and some doses of steroids.

He was then sent back in for a further chest x ray which this time showed he had a large mass on his media sternum. He was taken down for a CT scan, and then to be cannulated ready for transfer to Bristol Children's Hospital. When in the treatment room to be cannulated, Hugo was put in a position that compromised his airway, his oxygen sats dropped drastically low where Hugo was blue and unable to breath.

After a lot of help with oxygen and the result from his CT scan (the mass was compressing his airway to 2mm) He was blue lighted to Bristol Children's Hospital and taken to ICU where he was intubated to open his airway and had a central line inserted. We were then told by the consultant that our little boy has a t-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and will undergo 25 months of treatment. Hugo remained intubated for 6 days to help open his airway, and was woken up successfully the day before his 3rd birthday.

Our boy has shown an unbelievable amount of strength and understanding throughout the last year. He has undergone steroids, extensive chemotherapy, lost his hair, a replacement central line (port inserted) had multiple blood transfusions (at 1 stage these were weekly) and all with the most beautiful smile on his face! He has done all this whilst being the most amazing big brother to his brother Theo who was just 7 months when he was diagnosed.

We are now exactly a year after treatment and he turns 4 on 15th November. Thank you to Ben Saunders Foundation for enabling us to have a much needed break away to celebrate.