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Mum told son was 'overreacting about growing pains' says 'push for answers'

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Symptoms of Dylan
Symptoms of Dylan's deadly illness that was dismissed as growing pains

A MUM has urged other parents to push for answers after her nine-year-old son's aches were fobbed off as “growing pains” for months.

When her son started exhibiting unusual symptoms, Jessica Flack, from St. Neots in Cambridgeshire, knew something was wrong.

Jessica Flack knew something was wrong when her son Dylan started experiencing aches doctors put down to growing pains eiqrrirtiddrprw
Jessica Flack knew something was wrong when her son Dylan started experiencing aches doctors put down to growing painsCredit: Jam Press
It took nine months before Dylan was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma
It took nine months before Dylan was diagnosed with Ewing SarcomaCredit: Jam Press
Dylan was given a 50/50 chance of survival
Dylan was given a 50/50 chance of survivalCredit: Jam Press

But after multiple visits to GPs and hospitals, pushing for answers, the family were allegedly told they were “overreacting”.

Sadly, Jessica’s maternal instinct turned out to be right.

Dylan was eventually diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that impacts the bones and soft tissue, and usually affects children and young adults.

Are there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to ThomasAre there illegal baby names? Surprising monikers that are BANNED in other countries, from Sarah to Thomas

He was given a 50/50 chance of survival and put on a relentless treatment including 14 rounds of high-strength chemotherapy over 14 months, as well as proton beam therapy, radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy – the latter of which is still ongoing.

Jessica is sharing the family’s story to urge other parents to demand more from doctors when they sense something is amiss.

“Dylan was unfortunately misdiagnosed for nine months before his cancer was spotted,” she told What’sTheJam.

“Although I visited multiple health professionals multiple times, they were adamant that Dylan was overreacting and his pain was caused by growing pains.

“I can’t even really describe how it felt [when we finally got his diagnosis].

“The prognosis was not good, they gave him 50/50 and that was before they realised it was inoperable.

“It felt like the ground had swallowed me up.

“It wasn’t even at the back of anyone’s mind, but when they realised it was cancer no one needed to actually tell me that’s what they thought, I just knew.

“Dylan was great, he has been through it all, he struggled with me being upset the first few days, which made me realise I needed to be strong for him and I have managed to be ever since."

Despite the ordeal he’s going through, the bubbly boy is staying as active as possible, doing some of the things he loves most including spending time with horses.

I'm scared I've ruined my daughter's life because of her nameI'm scared I've ruined my daughter's life because of her name

Nine out of 10 parents I talk to had to push hard for their children to be diagnosed

Jessica Flack

His hero is Ben Atkinson, an equestrian trainer and performer.

Dylan said: “I love to ride, dressage is my passion, and I dream of competing at the Paralympics one day!”

Unfortunately, the cancer treatment means he doesn’t have the same strength he once did.

Jessica said: “Dylan has always ridden but before he was poorly he predominately jumped, however now for me that’s too risky.

“Just riding is a huge risk to him so we stick to dressage now which he’s developed a huge love for!"

The nine-year-old has kept up riding despite being told not to use his left leg.

“He was told to stop using his left leg immediately and the hospital gave him some [crutches] and a frame straight away.

“He got on okay with them but he found them quite uncomfortable and we had to wrap the handles with vet wrap to help cushion them.”

The mum found him a more comfortable alternative from Cool Crutches and Walking Sticks, with Dylan becoming a brand ambassador and helping design a new children’s crutches range.

I could easily sit at home crying myself to sleep every night

Jessica Flack

Dylan’s mother is emphasising the need for greater awareness of childhood cancer, expressing that it is often a taboo subject, and lacks the recognition it needs to spot the signs.

She said: “We need more awareness of childhood cancer.

“It’s just not advertised or pushed out enough, it’s not on the TV like other cancers are and it’s very much a taboo subject.

“It needs to not be, we need to know the signs, as unfortunately nine out of 10 parents I talk to had to push hard for their children to be diagnosed.”

Sharing some advice for others who may be going through something similar, the mum recommends to “keep positive and busy”.

She added: “It's really all you can do!

“I could easily sit at home crying myself to sleep every night.

“Of course I have done just that multiple times over the past 14 months, but it would be no help to anyone, especially Dylan!

“[As for the future], me, I don’t really have any plans apart from making Dylan’s life the best I can.

“Dylan is going to work his socks off as he already does to make all his dressage dreams come true.”

Dylan has gone through gruelling rounds of treatment
Dylan has gone through gruelling rounds of treatmentCredit: Jam Press
He's found comfort in his love of riding, turning to dressage now he can't jump
He's found comfort in his love of riding, turning to dressage now he can't jumpCredit: Jam Press
He dreams of competing in the Paralympics one day
He dreams of competing in the Paralympics one dayCredit: Jam Press
Jessica is calling for more awareness around childhood cancer
Jessica is calling for more awareness around childhood cancerCredit: Jam Press

Eliza Loukou

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