Nicole and David Quinn, who are from Glasgow, experienced every parent’s worst nightmare after their two-year-old son Tommy started having frequent bouts of sickness
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Doctors thought toddler was constipated but it was actually cancer
A couple experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when their toddler was diagnosed with cancer – after they first thought he had constipation.
Nicole and David Quinn’s “whole world was turned upside down” when Tommy, two, was diagnosed with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma – a rare form of childhood cancer. The couple, from Glasgow, were told their son had a 50% chance of survival but now Tommy has had stem cell harvest, a tumour resection and a stem cell transplant, and is “still boisterous, happy and on the go.”
When Tommy started having frequent bouts of sickness, his parents put it down to a food allergy and switched up his diet. As his condition worsened, they visited the doctors, who initially thought it was constipation – but after a second opinion, they were told it was cancer.
Nicole, 37, said: “His prognosis gives us terrible anxiety daily. Our whole world has been turned upside down. It has a very high probability that it will not clear at the end of treatment – and it may return within five years. If it does, his prognosis drastically goes down to just five per cent. David and I felt a whole mixture of emotions when we were told of his diagnosis. It feels surreal – and still does – that it was my child they were talking about. We felt sick, worried, scared and were in complete disbelief.”
Nicole, who is a clinical nurse specialist, said before any symptoms in January 2024, her son was a very “loving and cheeky chap”, who was always full of energy. When he started being sick twice a week, they noticed it was after he had consumed anything with dairy. Despite putting him on a lactose-free diet, the sickness continued – and quickly got worse.
In April 2024, they visited the doctor and were initially told he was suffering from post-viral symptoms, which should clear in the next few weeks. But Tommy only got worse, with him experiencing the odd spike in temperature, and not sleeping through the night, which led to a lack of interest in playing, lethargy and less frequent toilet use.
Nicole rushed him to Glasgow Children’s Hospital after he had been violently sick upon waking up, where they were told it was likely due to constipation. Then, a nurse came in to feel his tummy – where her face dropped. The mum said: “Things quickly spiralled from there. Bloods were taken, IV access obtained and a consultant was on the way to see us. It was 10pm, so we knew this was something which couldn’t wait. The nurse advised us the mass was unlikely to be constipation and given his age, it’s likely to be something nasty. But the C-word never crossed our minds.”
On April 11, 2024, his cancer diagnosis was confirmed. Following various scans and tests, a tumour covering his whole abdomen was discovered, which circled around his main artery and vein. It had also spread to his adrenal gland, lymph nodes, thorax and spinal cord. Due to the location, surgeons were apprehensive about operating and instead, the tot has now undergone eight rounds of chemotherapy.
He’s also had stem cell harvest, a tumour resection and a stem cell transplant. While the family hopes he will finish the next 18 months of treatment cancer-free, it’s not guaranteed. As a result of his current treatment, he’s lost his hearing, has high blood pressure and other lasting side effects that will prevail as he gets older, such as infertility.
She said: “It’s impacted our lives dramatically. We no longer socialise and myself and David are ships passing in the wind at times. Mentally, it’s a daily rollercoaster. You can be OK and then the next, crying. We feel exhausted because we’re on a high state of alert in case anything happens. But despite all of this, he is still boisterous, happy and on the go. He’s bossed everything so far. The saving grace is he doesn’t understand how sick he is.”
In case he’s not cancer-free, they’ve been exploring options abroad, specifically in the US, where clinical trials are being undertaken. Though £250,000 is needed to be raised to go through these, with the family raising £12,875 so far on GoFundMe. For now, though, they’re trying to make the most of the time they have with Tommy and hope to share his story to warn other parents of the signs to look out for.
Nicole added: “Trust your instinct. I knew something wasn’t right with him, which is why we went back to the hospital. I didn’t think for a minute it’d be cancer, but I just had a feeling – a mother’s instinct. If our fear becomes a reality and he isn’t cancer-free, at least we’ll know what is available elsewhere and have the funds to go through this.
“We need to remain positive for the sake of Tommy. No two-year-old should go through what he has, but we’re so grateful to everyone we have met so far on what has been the worst experience of our lives He will keep fighting if he knows we are behind him. And I’m hoping my cheeky chap will be back to us soon.” To donate to the fundraiser, visit this link.
