In July 2014, our youngest son Ryan started with haematuria (blood in urine) showing in his nappy. We took Ryan to our local GP surgery and it was assumed that Ryan had a urinary tract infection, we had to provide a urine sample, this was confirmed as an infection and he was prescribed antibiotics. After this course of medication, haematuria was still present and again Ryan was taken to the local
GP surgery and again a further urine sample was taken. After confirmation of infection further antibiotics were prescribed and Ryan was referred to the Urology department at Royal Preston Hospital with an appointment at the end of October. We were not happy with this, feeling this wasn't being dealt with properly and with the haematuria still present on the 11th September we took Ryan to A&E at Royal Preston Hospital. Up on the ward, the Paediatric Consultant said she could feel a swelling on the right of his abdomen. Ryan had a cannula inserted in to his left hand to have the blood drawn and an ultrasound was done the same day. After the ultrasound, we sat down with the Consultant and she told us it seems that Ryan has cancer in the form of a Wilms Tumour on his right kidney. We were told he would be taken to the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital by ambulance in the morning. The following day we met with the Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at RMCH and it was explained they would need to sedate Ryan so they could perform a CT scan. After which, the Consultant advised us it looks like a tumour with a good prognosis but a biopsy would be needed to confirm the type of tumour and a hickman line would be inserted into his chest (for chemotherapy drugs and to withdraw blood). We were allowed to go home, but we had to return in the evening the following day so he could go to theatre on the morning of the 15th. On the 15th the biopsy was done and the hickman line was inserted. The following day we returned home. On the 22nd September we returned to RMCH where the Consultant confirmed Ryan had a Wilms Tumour, and subsequently had his first chemotherapy on the ward. That continued every Monday for 3 further weekly checks with the Consultant who confirmed the tumour was shrinking. On the 23rd October, he successfully had his kidney and tumour removed. He stayed in hospital for 5 days, after which he returned home. Following this we then visited RMCH clinic and the consultant confirmed he was a stage 2 Wilms Tumour, and would require 28 weeks chemotherapy. Ryan completed his chemotherapy on the 5th May 2015 and rang the end of treatment bell in celebration of this. His also had his wiggly (hickman line) removed on the 22nd May 2015. He is doing well and will continue to have regular follow-up at the childrens hospital.
