A young child has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer after his mother observed a concerning change in his chest veins turning blue during bath time. Louisa Shilleto, aged 37, noticed something unusual while attending to her toddler, Charlie, in Hull, East Yorkshire. Acting on her intuition, along with her husband Lee, 39, they noticed a lump under Charlie’s arm, prompting them to seek immediate medical attention just days before Christmas. Subsequent tests revealed a substantial tumor spanning from under his chin to his ribs, diagnosed as stage four metastatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer.
Describing the alarming discovery, Louisa, a solicitor, recalled the moment when she noticed the blue veins on Charlie’s chest during bath time, leading them to find the unexpected lump under his arm. Urgently taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, Charlie underwent a series of examinations, revealing another lump in his neck causing further distress as the tumor affected his lung, resulting in a collapse.
The medical team swiftly initiated life-saving treatment by transporting Charlie to Leeds General Infirmary, where he received high-dose steroids to manage the swelling before biopsy results were obtained. The diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma was delivered to Louisa on December 17, triggering a panic attack. Charlie commenced chemotherapy immediately, embarking on a rigorous treatment plan comprising intense chemotherapy sessions followed by extended maintenance therapy.
Despite the cancer not spreading to his bones, concerns about potential relapses persist for Charlie’s family. Louisa expressed the anxiety surrounding the cancer’s high relapse rate post-treatment completion. The toll of treatment on Charlie is evident, with symptoms such as nausea, mouth ulcers, altered walking due to nerve effects, weight loss, and paleness, though his resilience shines through.
To alleviate financial burdens during Charlie’s treatment, a fundraiser initiated by Louisa’s sister-in-law, Alysha Curtis, has raised over £17,000. The funds will assist with travel expenses, living costs during hospital stays, and creating special moments with Charlie. Overwhelmed by the community’s support, Louisa expressed gratitude for the relief brought by the fundraiser.
For those interested in supporting the family, the fundraiser can be accessed here.