Showing Alfie how much we all care ❤️
Alfie was the rainbow baby born after his big brother James sadly passed away in 2009 just 2 days old due to a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Already in his life he’s faced many battles- fighting meningitis at just 18months old and now the biggest fight of his life.
Just under 5 weeks ago Alfie went to his GP with a suspiciously large lump on his neck - he was sent straight to Whiston to have it examined & after some bloods he was sent home with antibiotics- after 5 days with no improvement he went straight back . He was given an ultrasound and the Drs confirmed that they suspected lymphoma. He was sent straight to oncology & haematology at Alder hey where he's undergone various other investigations CT/MRI & up to Preston for a PET scan, and a biopsy to remove the lymph node on his neck.
The wait for the results was a horrendous time & on the 27th of october we were given the devestating news that it wasn't lymphoma & that Alfie has stage 3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma - its a rare tumour that only accounts for 1% of childrens cancers - luckily it hasn't spread any further than his head & neck & his consultant is confident that it’s treatable & he will be cured. Only 250 people a year are diagnosed with this in the Uk and risk factors which increase the chance of getting it are
* being of south Chinese or north African descent
* having a diet very high in salt-cured meats and fish
* being exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causes glandular fever
* having a job where you're regularly exposed to hardwood dust
*having a first-degree relative, such as a parent, who's had the condition
None of which apply to Alfie
Alfie had no symptoms until the lump appeared on his neck- by this point it was a Stage 3 cancer .
His diagnosis means that he will need an intense course of chemotherapy & combined radiotheraphy so the next 6 months will be a tough road for Alfie but anyone that knows Alfies character will know he wont go down without a fight. He’s a fighter!
As a family we are all so proud of how Alfie has dealt with everything. Alfie has been so brave and taken everything in his stride!
How anyone can still be smiling after everything they’ve faced as a family in life is truly inspirational and a testament to the strength of their character. I’m so proud to call them my Sister & Nephew
I’ve set up this page after numerous requests from friends, family, team mates & well wishers so Alfie has something to look forward to after his recovery & to show him how much we all care. ❤️
The support we have received from everyone so far has been absolutely overwhelming and is really giving Alfie a boost and getting him through this and bringing a smile to his face.We cannot thank everyone enough. It really is humbling xx
