Scots mum issues dry nappy warning after toddler diagnosed with stage four cancer
A mum has issued a dry nappy warning to parents after her two-year-old son was diagnosed with stage four cancer.
Little Tommy Quinn, now three, was diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma - an aggressive form of a childhood cancer that originates in immature nerve cells - in April last year. The tot was rushed to A&E by mum Nicole and dad David after he failed to soil his nappy for more than a day.
He was also struggling to sleep, lost his appetite and had a sudden bout of sickness.
Recalling her son's devastating diagnosis, Nicole, 38, from Bishopbriggs, told the Record: "It was terrifying and all happened so quickly. He went off his food, was struggling to sleep through the night and had a bit of sickness.
"But when he didn't wet his nappy for a whole day, we took him to A&E. We were sent home on suspicion that it could have been a viral infection but he was sick again so we took him back - at that point, he still wasn't giving us any wet nappies.
"They couldn't find anything wrong until somebody felt his tummy and found a mass. I thought he had constipation and that his bowel was pressing against his bladder.
"Just days later, we discovered he had cancer. Everything just spiralled from there.
"The whole month before his diagnosis, his sleeping and eating were terrible but I just put it down to development. The thought of cancer never even crossed my mind because he was a happy, lively and energetic toddler.
"It shows you the importance of checking things like prolonged periods of dry nappies. It can be a sign of dehydration but it must be taken seriously."
Brave Tommy underwent eight gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before undergoing numerous bone marrow procedures, blood transfusions, a stem cell harvest, a tumour re-section and a stem cell transplant.
Nicole said: "He's amazed us all with his resilience and strength.
"Despite everything he's been through, he keeps his cheeky smile and mischievous nature.
"It has been a terrifying journey so far but we're so proud of how he is coping daily, he takes it all in his stride."
The little warrior is currently receiving immunotherapy, which is due to conclude in the coming weeks.
His family will find out in September if his cancer is in remission.
While there's currently no signs that the disease is spreading, Tommy's family and friends are fundraising for therapy not available on the NHS as he will remain at high risk of relapse.
The treatment, called DFMO - a drug that has shown promise as a treatment option for high-risk neuroblastoma - will keep the cancer at bay and give him the best chance at life.
It will cost around £250,000 and will require the family to travel to the US.
Nicole said: "Even after completing this intensive course of treatment, there is still a very high risk that Tommy could relapse and his cancer could come back, which is frighteningly common with high risk neuroblastoma.
"If this happens, Tommy's chances of survival would drop drastically to between five and 10 per cent.
"The treatment will give us a higher chance of keeping him in remission, we want to give him the best chance at beating this awful disease."
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