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Bedroom makeover wish granted for boy with cancer

An 8 year old boy with a rare brain cancer has received a bedroom makeover from Simon’s Heroes children’s charity.

Lewis Weinman from Woodville in Derbyshire, was first taken ill in November 2016. He was suffering from headaches and dizziness. Initial scans revealed a number of brain and spinal tumours and he was consequently diagnosed with Medullablastoma.

Medullablastoma is a type of cancerous (malignant) brain tumour which starts in or near the cerebellum and can spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord. It represents about 20% of all paediatric CNS (central nervous system) cancers and almost always occurs in children less than 15 years old. Common symptoms include morning headaches, nausea, confusion, and visual changes, such as double vision.

Lewis underwent immediate surgery at the Queen’s Hospital in Nottingham which removed 60% of one of the tumours located at the base of his neck. He also had a shunt fitted to relieve the pressure that had been building up in his skull. Some of his stem cells were extracted and frozen with a view to being re-infused at a later date to help boost his immunity after chemotherapy.

Lewis started chemotherapy in December 2016 followed by several weeks of radiotherapy in January this year and further chemotherapy which concluded early in the summer. He was due to have more treatment but his body was too weak to cope with it. He has also endured problems with his shunt becoming blocked causing blurred vision and headaches.

In July 2017 Lewis’ consultant gave the wonderful news that there was no cancer visible on his most recent scans and that he was able to ring the ‘all clear bell’ to signal the end of treatment in August 2017.

Lewis has now moved to 3 monthly scans at the Queen’s Hospital which will be reduced to every 6 months if he continues to do well.

Lewis is an avid Liverpool FC supporter and has recently resumed his guitar lessons, a hobby he enjoyed before his diagnosis.

Whilst Lewis was in hospital Simon’s Heroes were able to assist his parents with a pirate themed bedroom makeover. The charity supplied and fitted a range of modular wardrobes to give Lewis plenty of storage space. They also provided pirate accessories to finish his new bedroom.

‘Lewis loves his new bedroom. He’s got more space to play and relax. It’s been a wonderful treat for him after everything he’s been through. Thank you!’  Linda Dakin, Lewis’ Nanna.

Author: C Bull

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