A Christmas Day walk turned into a life-saving moment for eight-year-old Jamie Hough, whose mother, Ania Hough, initially dismissed his unusual walking as mere silliness. After facing persistent headaches and vomiting, Jamie was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, highlighting the importance of vigilant parental awareness regarding children’s health.
In October 2023, Jamie first complained of a headache and began vomiting. His mother, Ania, initially believed he had contracted a common illness from school. Following a call to the 111 emergency service, she took him to Maidstone Hospital in Kent. Despite his alarming symptoms, which included dehydration attributed to a stomach bug, Jamie was not offered any tests or scans during this visit.
As the headaches worsened and occurred daily, Ania sought further medical attention. At a general practitioner’s office, she was told that Jamie was suffering from migraines. Over the following months, she administered pain relief while waiting for a referral to a neurologist that never materialised.
On Christmas morning, Jamie awoke excitedly but soon expressed discomfort from a headache. Ania suggested a walk, thinking that fresh air might alleviate his pain. However, as they walked, Jamie began dragging one leg and insisted he was not pretending. Concerned, Ania rushed him back to A&E, where a CT scan revealed abnormal brain activity. Jamie was then transferred to King’s College Hospital in London for immediate surgery.
On December 26, 2023, Jamie underwent a 12-hour brain surgery to remove a sizable cancerous tumour measuring approximately 6 cm by 5 cm, known as choroid plexus carcinoma. This fast-growing tumour is rare, predominantly affecting children, and causes symptoms such as pressure headaches, nausea, and difficulty walking.
Ania expressed profound gratitude for the timely diagnosis, stating, “It was a bit of a Christmas miracle that they did the CT scan.” She noted that, had they delayed, the pressure from the tumour could have caused irreversible damage. Following the initial surgery, Jamie underwent a second operation on January 12, 2024, to remove any remaining cancerous tissue and was fitted with a shunt to manage excess fluid in his brain.
After a rigorous treatment plan that included six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of proton beam therapy, Jamie completed his last round of chemotherapy on September 29, 2024. He was officially declared cancer-free in November 2024, and the family is now looking forward to celebrating Christmas this year, with Jamie having already written his letter to Santa.
Ania’s experience has prompted her to advocate for increased awareness regarding children’s health, particularly in recognizing serious symptoms such as persistent headaches. She encourages parents to insist on further testing when faced with similar situations.
“I think the hospital messed up with Jamie and should have done more on our first visit,” Ania said. She acknowledged that while the hospital’s initial assessment may not have prevented the cancer diagnosis, earlier intervention could have potentially reduced the number of surgeries Jamie needed.
In response to Ania’s concerns, a spokesperson for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust stated, “While we can’t discuss individual cases, patient safety and high-quality care are always our top priorities.” They emphasized that clinicians carefully evaluate symptoms before deciding on necessary tests, balancing the benefits of scanning with the associated risks, such as radiation exposure.
Choroid plexus carcinoma remains a rare but aggressive form of brain cancer, with symptoms that can often mimic less severe conditions. Ania’s story serves as a powerful reminder for parents to remain vigilant and proactive about their children’s health, ensuring that serious conditions are not overlooked.
