A Christmas Day walk unexpectedly became a pivotal moment for Jamie Hough, an eight-year-old boy whose life was saved by a timely medical intervention after a series of alarming symptoms. His mother, Ania Hough, recalled how what seemed to be a typical school sickness bug turned out to be something far more serious: a cancerous brain tumour.
In October 2023, Jamie first complained of a headache and began vomiting. Ania initially thought he had contracted a common illness from school. However, after consulting with medical professionals, she took him to Maidstone Hospital in Kent. Despite Jamie’s persistent symptoms, including daily headaches, he was not given the necessary tests or scans, which were dismissed as dehydration from the stomach bug.
As Jamie’s condition worsened, Ania sought further medical advice. A general practitioner suggested he was suffering from migraines, while the family waited for a referral to a neurologist, which never arrived. Over the following months, Ania managed Jamie’s pain with medication, unaware that a more serious condition was developing.
On Christmas morning, after a restless night filled with headaches, Jamie expressed a desire to go for a walk. Ania hoped that the fresh air would alleviate his discomfort. However, during their outing, Jamie began dragging one of his legs and insisted he was not being “silly.” This alarming change prompted Ania to rush him back to the hospital.
A CT scan performed at Maidstone Hospital revealed abnormal brain activity, leading to Jamie’s transfer to King’s College Hospital in London. There, he underwent a grueling twelve-hour brain surgery on December 26, 2023. Biopsy results confirmed that he had a fast-growing brain tumour, specifically choroid plexus carcinoma, measuring 6cm by 5cm.
The urgency of Jamie’s situation became clear to the medical team. Ania recounted how a neurosurgeon informed her that “it was a matter of hours” to save her son. If Jamie had not arrived at the hospital when he did, the pressure from the tumour could have caused irreversible damage to his brain.
Following the initial surgery, Jamie underwent a second twelve-hour operation on January 12, 2024, to remove the remaining tumour. He also had two additional surgeries to fit a drain and a shunt to manage excess fluid in his brain. After a series of treatments, including six rounds of chemotherapy and thirty sessions of proton beam therapy, Jamie was declared cancer-free on September 29, 2024.
Now, as the family prepares for another Christmas, Ania reflects on their harrowing experience. She described the emotional turmoil of watching her son endure pain so severe that he begged her to let him die. “There are still a mixture of emotions of trying to get over the scariest Christmas we have ever had,” she said.
Ania is now raising awareness among parents about the importance of seeking medical attention for children experiencing consistent headaches. She emphasizes the necessity for parents to advocate for their children, stating, “If your child is suffering from headaches, push for a CT or some kind of scan.” While she expresses gratitude for Jamie’s successful treatment, she also noted that earlier intervention could have potentially reduced the number of surgeries he had to endure.
The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust released a statement expressing relief that Jamie is doing well following treatment. They emphasized their commitment to patient safety and high-quality care, explaining that the decision to conduct scans is based on a careful evaluation of symptoms and potential risks.
Choroid plexus carcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of brain tumour that primarily affects young children. Symptoms often include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and changes in mobility. Ania hopes that sharing Jamie’s story will encourage parents to be vigilant and proactive about their children’s health, and to seek immediate medical attention if concerning symptoms arise.
As the holiday season approaches, Jamie has already begun writing his letter to Santa, a testament to the resilience and hope that has emerged from a life-altering experience.
