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The parents of a three-year-old boy are enduring a ‘living nightmare’ – after seeing their loved-one struck down with cancer. Little Reggie Bebbington was taken to a GP after a lump appeared on his belly earlier this year.
But when the GP could not identify the problem dad Kane Billington took his son to the Royal Stoke University Hospital instead. It was there that Reggie was diagnosed with Wilms cancer after a two-week hospital stay.
Now Reggie, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has had chemotherapy and had a kidney removed at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. He is now awaiting radiotherapy treatment.
Mum-of-two Charley Bebbington, aged 23, said: “Cancer had not crossed my mind. Because of where the lump was, I just thought he might have been a bit constipated or something like that. As a parent, you never think that it could be that until you get told. I can honestly say that finding out what it was has changed my life.
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“If something doesn’t feel right, you find any kind of lump, get it checked out. We thought it was something he’d eaten. It turned out it was cancer.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Reggie will have to be put to sleep for his radiotherapy.
Charley added: “He will not stay still for the life of him. He doesn’t like being prodded and poked. For something so serious he needs to be still and there’s no chance of that if he’s awake.
“He’s quite clever for his age, he’s very vocal, if he’s in any pain, he can tell us. He doesn’t know why he’s poorly, it’s hard to explain to a three-year-old what cancer is. The staff at both hospitals, I cannot fault them at all. They’re amazing. We’re just taking each week. The furthest we know at the moment is the radiotherapy in a few months time.”
Family friend Vikki Flint has set up a JustGiving page to try to help ease the financial pressures on the family. The money will go towards the costs of travelling and staying in Birmingham, plus days out for Reggie when he’s feeling well enough.
Charley added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has participated in it all. As a family we do really appreciate every single person that has donated and helped out as much as they can. We are really grateful for every single penny.
“When I think back over the past few months, it just still feels like it’s not real, that it’s not happening to your child. It’s something I’d never ever wish upon anyone; it’s the worst kind of pain you could ever possibly go through.
“It’s good that we trusted our gut instinct and brought him in when we did. Judging from what it’s been like, we caught it at the right time.”
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
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