by Rebecca Hannant
A Roos woman is having her head shaved to raise money to support those caring for her grandson, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.
In May, Maria Davison’s four-year-old grandson Reggie Davison started suffering from headaches and sickness as well as experiencing loss of balance. After several trips to medical professionals, Reggie was rushed in for a CT scan which showed that he had a tumour at the base of his brain called a medulloblastoma.
After a 12-hour operation to remove most of the tumour, Reggie was left with mutism, and struggled to eat, drink and talk. After weeks in hospital, he was finally allowed home before starting chemotherapy.
His father Dan said: “Reggie’s story started out like a lot of kids with medulloblastoma – sickness, fatigue and balancing issues.
“The night we were sent down to the CAT unit at Leeds General Infirmary we knew we were in for an unthinkable and emotional night. Within the next six hours and the help of some basic neurological tests and a CT scan, the news of a brain tumour was as anyone can imagine – hard- hitting, traumatic and simply devastating.
“We felt alone, lost and scared. As Reggie was transferred to ward L52 – the neuro ward – we were allocated a side room in the early hours of the morning and left to process our feelings. Luckily for us, we were welcomed with the overwhelming love, care and reassurance. That is exactly what we as parents needed.
“Over the next 30 days, Reggie underwent a 12-hour brain surgery, was diagnosed with posterior fossa syndrome (mutism) and received the devastating diagnosis of cancer. He had to relearn how to open his eyes, use his arms, talk and eat. He is continuing to relearn how to sit unaided and walk.”
While receiving support from the hospital, Maria and her family said they saw the effect that a shortfall in funding had on the team and the care they provided.
In a bid to help the ward, the family set up a crowdfunder, raising more than £5,000 which will be used to provide families with spaces to help them process their feelings and support children, as well as items including tablets, gaming chairs, fans, toys and sensory items, and air mattresses.
Maria added: “Unfortunately, the neuro ward does not get the same huge funding as oncology, so we want to make it our mission to be a helping hand for the incredible team, by providing items that they need when they need it.
“Without the beautiful souls that call ward L52 their place of work, we simply would have spiralled. Even though we had a support network outside with family and friends, the nurses were our first lifeline to hope, a shoulder to cry on, a source of reassurance and they really know what to say and when to say it. We couldn’t praise them all enough.
“But what has really upset set us, is the fantastic team on ward L52 must provide love and care to kids with life-threatening issues and support the highly emotional parents, and they do this while battling to get resources. These resources influence everyone on the ward from toys for the kids, fans on hot days and even monitors for nurses.
“During Reggie’s stay, he met with so many professionals from surgeons to consultants, and doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, play workers, health care assistants, student nurses and housekeeping staff.
“Each one was amazing, and each could probably benefit from additional support through funding.
“This funding will relieve stress for the team on the ward, provide new and exciting toys for the children, more sensory toys for the playroom, funding to get new items to help nurses do their jobs and anything else the staff may need. Children admitted to L52 again can have life-threatening illnesses and for some children, they’re there for an unimaginable amount of time.”
As part of Reggie’s ongoing treatment, he has been sent for proton treatment in Manchester for the next five weeks. The family say they are now struggling to run two homes and are relying on support from family.
As part of the fundraising efforts Maria will brave a head shave at a fundraising event at the Pier Hotel in Withernsea at 2pm on Saturday, November 2. The event will also include a tombola with lots of prizes, and other games.
To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/hairs-a-gogo-for-reggie.
