Parker Stott was just two years old when he was diagnosed with an astrocytoma in January 2022. Doctors initially investigated his stomach because he was experiencing pain and had difficulty going to the toilet. He was taken to hospital when he was constantly being sick and getting a high temperature. A scan revealed the tumour which surgeons managed to remove most of during surgery. Parker’s great-grandmother, Penny Sinclair, is taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Penny tells Parker’s story…
Parker is such an amazing child. He’s the most happy and loving boy you would ever meet; the most beautiful boy in every way.
In September 2021, he was becoming weak and lethargic. He was having appointments at University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton-on-Tees because he was having stomach-related problems and he was having problems going to the toilet.
On New Year’s Day 2022, I was having to carry Parker everywhere because he was being very clingy and whiny, which was not like him at all. Soon after, he was constantly vomiting, and he had a high temperature.
“He was losing weight; he only weighed 10kg and his clothes were hanging off him.”
We took Parker to hospital where he was fed through a tube. He had an MRI scan of his neck and head. Two hours later, we were told that the scan ‘wasn’t normal’ and Parker was taken straight to the Great North Children’s Hospital which is based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.
We were told Parker had a tumour on his brain. All I could think was what a poor little baby. I just couldn’t imagine what he and his mum were going through.
“It was just horrific knowing he had a brain tumour. Nobody, especially a little baby, should have to go through this.”
Parker was immediately put on steroids to reduce the swelling on his brain. Then, a few days later, he had an operation where the surgeons managed to remove most of it.
Parker now has a check-up MRI scan every three months. It’s such a nerve-racking time and I always hope that the tumour hasn’t spread.
This brain tumour just hits you from out of nowhere. It’s such a horrific thing for my great-grandson to live with. To see this baby boy going through this is absolutely devastating.
I’m taking on the 10,000 Steps a Day in February challenge to raise vital money for Brain Tumour Research. When I was a bit younger, I was fanatical about fitness and would think nothing of running 25 miles but then I had three knee replacements, and I was in a car crash. Sometimes I can’t walk at all so I will be doing some of this on a treadmill and in a swimming pool. This is a really big challenge for me, but I want to do my bit to help raise vital money to help find a cure.
Penny Sinclair
January 2023
Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer... yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been inspired by Parker’s story, you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donation/donate-now or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure.