Callum Stone, a 15-year-old healthy student, was sent home from school with a headache and later diagnosed with a brain tumor.
During January, the school placed a call to Callum’s mother, Sarah, and stepfather, Mark Ferris, requesting that they come and retrieve him. When Mark arrived, Callum was having difficulty communicating with him. Mark stated in an interview with PA Real Life: “He told me quite loudly in reception at school that he loved me, but he wasn’t getting his words out quite right; he wasn’t coming across as normal.”
Mark brought Callum to the Accident & Emergency department in Chelmsford out of concern for his health. Callum passed three seizures on the way.
Tests found little brain inflammation following a week of hospital stay. Originally thinking of a viral infection, doctors sent him anti-seizure meds and let him go. But Callum was sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for additional assessment to guarantee thorough treatment. A second visit was set for next week.
Affecting around 4 out of every 100,000 teenagers annually, brain tumors are rare in young people. Positive outcomes depend on early diagnosis and treatment.
Callum, 17, had a terrible diagnosis of diffuse grade four glioma, a major type of brain cancer, after a recent MRI scan revealed a sizable brain tumor.
In February, Callum’s family was informed of the news during a biopsy procedure. Sarah, the man’s mother, remarked that the event was “shattering.” After only a few hours, “our planet was turned upside down.” A couple of months ago, we were just another typical family like any other.
Described as developing like a cobweb, the tumor is not operable. Sarah said letting Callum and his younger brother know about the circumstances would be challenging. Despite the distressing information, Callum showed his concern for his family by smiling and hugging them as they presented the diagnosis.
Callum started six weeks of daily radiation at University College Hospital in London in late February. On May 5, he receives another MRI to evaluate the tumor response to treatment. “He’s gone from being a healthy lad to managing several drugs and hospital visits,” Sarah said.
Callum stays active and close to friends despite the obstacles. “It was first difficult; I felt quiet and moody,” he said. But recently I have been feeling better. Eating well and working out help. My workouts include going to the gym, riding my bike, and walking the dog.
Callum’s family started a GoFundMe campaign to investigate alternative cancer treatments overseas to help him on his path of treatment. He is scheduled to start tablet form chemotherapy next month, but Sarah clarified that the NHS only offers a few choices for his particular type of malignancy.
She then mentioned clinical studies in San Francisco and clinics in Germany. “We are investigating every path for his treatment.”
The fundraising effort as of right now has exceeded £95,000, which Mark said was both “lovely” and “overwhelming.” “This is our best chance for Callum, but it comes with significant costs,” Sarah added, highlighting the importance of the money that comes with this opportunity.