A bit about James 💙

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James was born in 2013 on firework night alongside his twin brother Joshua. James was a happy and healthy baby and always so close to Joshua. Born together, best friends forever as we always say.

In 2016, shortly after turning 2, we noticed that James became very unwell very quickly. Loss of balance, early morning vomiting and severe headaches were just a few of the symptoms. In a two week period we visited a total of 5 health care professionals. Each one put James' symptoms down to either allergies, a virus or reflux.

My mothers instinct would not settle, I knew in my gut that there was something more to how James was feeling and so despite what we had been told, we took James to Lincoln A&E. At last our concerns were taken seriously and within hours of being seen James was put under general anesthetic in order to have a CT scan. Later that evening I was taken into a side room on my own and told the results.

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James had a mass on the brain.

This mass turned out to be a Grade 3 Ependymoma brain tumour. An aggressive form of brain cancer. Within a space of two weeks my beautiful baby boy had gone from having possible allergies or reflux to brain cancer. As much as I wish could, I will never, ever forget that day.

We were transferred immediately to Queens Medical Centre Nottingham where we were put under the care of James' incredible consultant. A week later James underwent 8 hours of brain surgery. Thankfully the surgeons were able to remove all of James' tumour. A week later James began a 56 week course of intense chemotherapy.

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Sadly, in 2018 James' tumour reoccured. We were always told this was a possibility due to James' tumour type, we just always hoped that we might be the lucky ones. James underwent further surgery followed by 3 months of proton radiation in Jacksonville America.

James remained stable until 2019 when three more tumours grew. Due to the tumours being inoperable, James had six months of Intrathecal chemotherapy followed by photon radiation to the entire brain and spine.

Thankfully in 2020 James had his first tumour free year. The pandemic had hit which meant that the world went into lockdown, however this was truly one of the best years of James' life. Time spent at home surrounded by his favourite people and his favourite things. He couldn't have been happier.

In 2021 whilst James' three existing tumours remained stable, two new tumours occurred. One in the brain and one in the spine. James had surgery immediately to remove the tumour in his brain. Whilst the removal of the tumour was successful, James suffered with a serious infection in the brain known as Ventriculitis, as well as severe Hydrocephalus. As a result James spent a month in hospital and underwent a total of three brain surgeries. One of which was to fit a shunt.

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In July 2021 after a slow recovery, two new tumours began to grow meaning that James was now living with a total of 6 tumours. James was moved onto oral chemotherapy to buy some time before being put onto palliative care.

Sadly on 28th February 2022 after a 6 year battle, James passed away. Our hearts forever broken and our world forever changed.

Whilst James had cancer for the majority of his life, he will never be defined by cancer. James was so much more than just his illness.

James was so funny, so kind and so loving. He gave the worlds best hugs and kisses also. He loved Disney and Marvel, Lego and cats. He adored school and anything to do with numbers or colours. He loved to read, he loved to sing and food was his everything. The most beautiful belly laugh and the most infectious smile.