Please read this: It might just save your child’s life

This is a photo of gorgeous Max Earley.

But, it is one of the last photos that his mum Caroline has of him as Max is no longer with us. He is now playing with the other angels in heaven…

Max Earley was just 2 years old when he passed away. He was vomiting daily and losing weight as a result. He could not tell anyone of his pain and suffering. He changed from a bright, happy child to an irritable and sad little boy.

His doctor misdiagnosed his symptoms and behaviour more than once for tummy problems. He was sent to 2 hospitals for further tests and scans. He had a CT scan, but it also was misread and never followed up. Max suffered in his last days in hospital as he was being given the wrong treatment.

I will not give any further details out of respect to his mum Caroline who is my friend and who is still grieving. I will just say that no mother deserves to go through what she had to. Max was her only child. What is even more heart-breaking is that due to her age, she does not know if she can have any more children. She blames herself for her loss and said that she should have done more. But if the consultants and experts got it so wrong, then how could she have known?

So why was Max so ill? He had a brain tumour. It is the largest cancer killer of children and young people in the UK. And even though there is a lot of work going into research and raising awareness, the mortality rate still remains as high as ever.

If Max’s story helps just one child then his death will not have been in vain.

Therefore, I beseech you to read below the symptoms for children with possible brain tumours. This list has been drawn up by a campaign called Headsmart which is part of The Brain Tumour Charity. If you are unsure about any of these symptoms, then go and see your GP, ask for a referal, get a second opinion, and make sure you request a CT or an MRI scan (as these images are the only way to check for a tumour).

The list of symptoms can also be found at http://www.headsmart.org.uk/

Under 5s – Preschool

Symptoms include:

• Persistent / recurrent vomiting
• Abnormal balance / walking / co-ordination
• Abnormal eye movements
• Behaviour change, particularly lethargy
• Fits or seizures (not with a fever)
• Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck

5-11 – Children

Symptoms include:

• Persistent / recurrent vomiting
• Persistent / recurrent headache
• Abnormal balance / walking / co-ordination
• Abnormal eye movements
• Blurred or double vision
• Behaviour change
• Fits or seizures
• Abnormal head position such as wry neck, head tilt or stiff neck

12-18 Young People

Symptoms include:

• Persistent / recurrent vomiting
• Persistent / recurrent headache
• Abnormal eye movements
• Blurred or double vision
• Abnormal balance / walking / co-ordination
• Behaviour change
• Fits or seizures
• Delayed or arrested puberty

Additional symptoms to be aware of:

• Reduced consciousness
• Diabetes insipidus (excessive drinking and urination)
• Abnormal growth

Please share this information with as many people as you can. It is so important that we spread awareness and help others in similar situations. This is a terrible disease and the only way we can save lives is by being aware and getting treatment early.

____________________

As some of you may remember, I was supposed to climb Mount Snowdon in April to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity. We had to postpone this due to the weather conditions. We will now be climbing on June 16th. I am dedicating my climb in memory of Max who would have been 3 years old next week.

Thank you so much to those of you who have already donated to this worthwhile cause. For those of you who would like to donate please go to my page http://www.justgiving.com/Amisha-Thobhani

R.I.P. Max. Gone too soon, but always loved and never forgotten.

xxx