HEARTBREAK AS COVID TEST FINDS CANCER
FAMILY OF 12-YEAR-OLD DEVASTATED BY SHOCK DISCOVERY
THE family of a 12-year-old boy have been left devastated after a coronavirus test revealed he actually had cancer – and would die within weeks without urgent treatment.
Cody Lockey, from Darlington, was taken to hospital on Monday when his mum Lisa Marie Harry suspected he had contracted Covid-19 after he developed a high temperature and
The schoolboy was also complaining of pain in his groin and hips for three days, so his concerned mum took him to be tested for the virus.
Although he tested negative for Covid19, the family were stunned to discover Cody actually had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which affects bone marrow and has symptoms similar to coronavirus including tiredness, bone pain and fever.
The diagnosis was officially confirmed
cold-like symptoms. on Tuesday when Cody went to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
His aunt, Nicola Ann Cook, explained: “His mum Lisa had got a feeling something was wrong so took him to the local hospital.
“Cody was complaining of pain in his groin and hips for three days. He had a temperature and cold-like symptoms so his mum took him to be tested for Covid19 but it came back as leukaemia.
“She thought it was Covid and was shocked when it came back negative but tested positive for cancer.
“His bone marrow is full of cancer cells. It hasn’t spread anywhere else. He has acute leukaemia.
“His blood levels are extremely low so he had a blood transfusion.
“Cody started chemotherapy on Friday and will remain in hospital until he responds to the treatment.
Nicola knows all too well the heartache of cancer as her own daughter died from the disease aged just 32 years old.
She
said:
“Cody’s
chemotherapy started on Friday as without it they have said he would only have weeks left to live. He is very scared but he’s being strong. His cousin, my daughter, died of bowel cancer two years ago aged just 32 so he was frightened he was going to die.
“Cody is only 12 years old.
“He’ll be in the hospital until the chemotherapy starts working. Then no one is allowed in or out of the house for five weeks as he’s susceptible to infections. Family members are all supporting the family as best we can via messages as we cannot visit because Cody and other children on the ward are extremely ill. Only parents can be there.”
His family, including Cody’s dad Richard Lockey, who rushed to his bedside from Norfolk, have been left devastated by the shock diagnosis.
Nicola continued: “His mum is trying to be strong but is still in limbo.
“Both mum and dad are devastated. Cody has two siblings Cee-jay, aged 10, who doesn’t really understand what’s happening, and Mia, aged 13, who is totally devastated. Cody is usually a cheeky, happy, young boy.”
The family have all offered to donate bone marrow if they are a match and it is needed.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Nicola to raise money for a trip for Cody who will be receiving chemotherapy for three years.
You can donate ly/2pstmyd
at
https://bit.