My son... the fighter
MUM’S PRIDE AT HER LAD’S BRAVE BATTLE AGAINST CANCER
HE may lose his trendy trademark bleached hair, but that won’t wipe the smile from the face of defiant Lewis Watson.
The 15-year-old Toon fan’s life has been turned upside down by a shock cancer diagnosis.
But, ever the fighter, he is refusing to give up and is battling his way back to health with the help of family and friends.
Until last month, Lewis’ biggest worry was his schoolwork.
Now the Newcastle United supporter is facing dozens of hospital appointments as he battles Hodgkin lymphoma.
His mum Claire Conway, 35, said she hadn’t thought much of the swollen lump on his neck which turned out to be cancer.
From the family home in Stanley, Co Durham, Claire added: “He had a little lump on his neck, we thought it was just a swollen gland, but when it didn’t go away we went to the doctor who sent us for blood tests.
“I just broke down when the doctor told me, as a parent your children falling ill is the most upsetting thing.
“My world was just turned upside down, so was his. He has been working really hard for his exams and now this, he is worrying about it.”
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer which mainly affects 13 to 25-yearolds.
Around 1,900 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year and the NHS says it is one of the most treatable cancers.
Mum Claire said that despite everything Lewis was still carrying on like a normal teenage boy.
“He loves his football, he is a devoted Toon fan, and he loves his Xbox.
“He has said how nice it has been with everyone at school supporting him, I think he has become a bit of a ladies man with all the attention.”
Lewis is likely to lose his trademark bleach blonde locks as he continues with chemotherapy treatment so Claire and some other members of the family are planning to shave their heads to raise cash for the Children’s Cancer Fund at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
“The hospital staff have just been so fantastic,” Claire said.
Claire along with Lewis’s dad Stephen Watson and his two sisters Amie Conway, 12, and six-year-old Trinity Minto will be fundraising at an event at Tanfield Lea Club on April 8.
The family have stuck together to support Lewis and each other, Claire said.
“I have my good days and my bad days,” she said. “He has been amazing, so strong throughout all of this, he has been a bit upset at times but mainly he has just taken it on the chin.
“The proudest part for me is seeing how he is doing so well and has such a positive attitude.”
See http://childrenscancerfund.org. uk/ for more on the Children’s Cancer fund at the RVI.