The family of a 12-year-old boy were shocked when he was tested for coronavirus – which turned out to be an aggressive CANCER.
Cody Lockey went to hospital after complaining for three days of pain in his ribs and groin and suffering a fever.
Mum Lisa Marie Harry feared Cody had caught coronavirus so took him to hospital for a test which came back negative.
But doctors remained concerned about his condition and further tests on Monday (27/7) revealed he had lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Cody, of Darlington, is now undergoing chemotherapy treatement at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, while his family hold a bedside vigil.
Lisa, who has two other children, said: “Cody had been in pain for three days and when he came out in a fever I thought it could be Covid-19.
“We took him to the hospital and the doctors said they didn’t like the look of his skin colour, because he was pale.
“It is just horrible. We got a coronavirus test because I thought it was that at first as he had a temperature and was coughing but doctors said it was cancer.
“They said there were too many white blood cells.
“Cody’s bone marrow is jam packed with cancer cells which are stopping good cells getting through.
“We were told that he had to undergo chemotherapy as soon as possible or he could die within weeks.
“The cancer cells have not travelled to in his spinal fluids which is good.
“When he was told he had cancer he was panicking about getting put to sleep but he now knows it’s not that bad.
“He’s never had an operation before.
“I haven’t had time to think about it yet and in a way that is a good thing, I think we have caught it quite quickly.
“I keep thinking back to that day and the nurses keep saying that I should pat myself on the back for responding so quickly – I had a gut feeling.
“I would just say to anyone, go and get checked out. Follow your instinct. My gut was telling me something else was wrong. Do not hesitate.”
Cody will undergo his first round of chemotherapy today (Fri) and is expected to remain in hospital for several months.
Cody’s diagnosis comes just two years after his cousin died from bowel cancer.
His aunt, Nicola Cook, has now set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family.
You can donate to the page here: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/b8een-leukaemia