When their 6-year-old son, Hugh, died in September 2021, the Menai-Davis family suffered an unfathomable tragedy.
After a courageous six months of fighting against a rare and aggressive form of cancer, the youngster was proclaimed cancer-free in May, which allowed him to ring the bell at the hospital where he had been undergoing treatment.
Unfortunately, the disease reappeared soon after, and there was nothing that could be done to save his life at such a young age.
After considering their son’s diagnosis, Hugh’s distraught parents, Frances and Ceri, wanted to alert other parents to the signs Hugh had before they found out he had rhabdomyosarcoma.
Hugh’s stomach swelled, which was his first complaint. When his parents brought him to the hospital, they were informed that he most likely had a virus and that they shouldn’t be concerned.
But during the next few days, Hugh’s condition didn’t improve. Instead, the swelling continued, and they sensed that something more dangerous than a stomach ailment was occurring.
They heard the news that no parent wants to hear when they went back to the hospital for tests.
“Our lives were permanently altered. We believe Hugh has cancer, the expert said, Frances told MailOnline.
Unfortunately, his health deteriorated at a startling rate. The fluid in his stomach squeezed against his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe.
“Behind closed doors, my wife and I were crying,” Frances said.
We didn’t want to appear weak to him since fear is learned. We never warned him he wouldn’t be okay.
“Hugh was simply incredible, tackling everything with naivete and ignorance.
“He just went about his work without complaining or moaning.”
After several rounds of chemotherapy, Hugh began to feel better. They believed they were defeating the cancer, according to the family.
Huge spent the next few months in and out of the hospital. They were finally informed that Hugh was cancer-free in May 2021.
However, their joy was short-lived when the disease returned three months later, and their son died a few weeks later.
Hugh’s parents encourage other parents to get medical attention as soon as they suspect something is off with their kid, from what appeared to be a harmless stomach ache and diarrhea to losing their child.
“From our experience, it is worth the effort, but no one knows your child better than you, and most of the time it is nothing to worry about,” Hugh’s father stated.
The charity It’s Never You was established by Ceri and Frances after Hugh’s death to provide assistance to families whose children have cancer.
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