A COUPLE from Yate have been dealt a devastating blow after learning their three-year-old son has leukaemia after initially being diagnosed with tonsillitis.

Jaxson Clark had been complaining of leg pains and aches for two weeks, which, parents Sophie Kenvin and Mitch Clarke, assumed to be due to growing pains or too much running around.

A swelling on his neck around the lymph nodes followed and there were two nose bleeds.

His concerned mum called 111 last Sunday, November 21, and was advised it could be mumps and to follow up with the GP if symptoms worsened.

Sophie called her surgery - Kennedy Way in Yate - the following day and was advised that Jaxson would require a Covid test before he could be seen by a doctor.

The child underwent the test on the Tuesday and an appointment followed after Jaxson’s health continued to dwindle.

Sophie was told there didn’t appear to be anything wrong with Jaxson’s legs but that he needed antibiotics for tonsillitis.

However, Sophie was still concerned that her son was not walking properly and eventually the doctor contacted Bristol Children’s Hospital, who asked to see Jaxson immediately.

To the shock of the family, blood tests and x-rays led to a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - cancer of the blood.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells.

It progresses quickly and aggressively and requires immediate treatment.

Three-and-a-half years of treatment now lie ahead for Jaxson, who has already started receiving chemotherapy.

He will remain in hospital for the next four to six weeks.

“Our whole world has been turned upside-down and we could never imagine this would happen to someone we knew let alone our son,” said Sophie.

“His battle has only just begun.

“With a three-and-a-half year plan on the road to recovery, we are currently right at the beginning.

“The staff at Bristol Children’s Hospital have been brilliant this last week, going above and beyond and have let us both be here to support not only Jaxson but each other.

“We can’t thank them enough for all they are doing for us.

“However, due to Covid restrictions, this will have to come to an end and we will be travelling each day and swapping over to take it in turns, until we can bring our son home and reunite him with his sister Bella, who is one.

Jaxson’s dad Mitch, a chef, had just lost his job, being made redundant for the second time this year due to coronavirus.

He was forced to miss a job interview to ensure he remained at his son’s bedside.

Friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe page to try and support the family financially whilst they deal with their crisis situation.

Family friend Paul Day set up the page with an initial target of £10,000 to help the family with bills whilst they remain in hospital.

The page has currently raised over £4,000, receiving donations from almost 200 people.

Fundraisers will go ahead when coronavirus restrictions allow.

Mitch said: “We would like to thank everyone for the masses of kind words and donations, it all helps and lifts one burden from us.

“We know this year has been hard for everyone, so we would truly like to thank everyone who has taken the time to help us.”

Sophie has pleaded with parents to always raise the alarm if they feel their child is not their normal self.

“Unless you have proof your child is fine, don’t just assume they are,” she said.

“Give your children a cuddle and hold them close, enjoy every moment from tantrums to play, as you never know what tomorrow will bring.”

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