A mum has revealed how her teenage son's itchy skin condition turned out to be a symptom of a rare cancer.
Ryan Thomson, from Stenhousemuir, Falkirk, had first began to feel unwell around Christmas time last year.
The 14-year old, who plays for Stenhousemuir FC Community 07's football team, had started to look 'sluggish' on the pitch leading mum Audrey to notice 'something wasn't right'.
She was bewildered when Ryan began losing weight and suffering from itchy skin that spread across his body.
Audrey believed it may be an 'allergy' and tried changing her washing detergent but Ryan's skin did not improve.
It was only when the youngster began complaining of 'swollen glands' in his neck at the end of January that his mum made an urgent GP appointment, knowing then that something wasn't right.
Within hours of seeing his doctor, Ryan was sent to Larbert Hospital where he underwent blood tests and scans.
Audrey was left stunned when medics told her Ryan would need to be taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for further investigation.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Audrey said: "They said to me not to be totally alarmed, but they were sending Ryan to a cancer ward. Suddenly, I was in complete shock."
A week later Ryan was given the devastating news that he had Hodgkins Lymphoma.
The rare form of blood cancer affects a person's lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), which become cancerous and multiply abnormally.
Common symptoms are swelling in the neck, armpit or groin - but night sweats, weight loss and itchy skin can also be signs.
Despite her son's life-changing diagnosis, Audrey said she was relieved to know what was going on so that doctors were able to begin treatment before his health deteriorated..
The 53-year-old explained: "They found the cancer in his neck and chest and said it was stage two.
"It was terrible, but it was actually a relief because it wasn’t in stage three, four or five, which meant he wouldn’t need as much chemo and probably not radiotherapy."
Ryan began his first round of gruelling chemotherapy shortly after he was diagnosed.
His proud mum has been amazed by the teen's resilience but admits his world has been turned upside down.
A once active Ryan is now temporarily confined to his house to reduce his risk of catching Covid and other sickness bugs that could set back his treatment.
The mum-of-four said: "We're hoping for his treatment to end in August but it's hard for him. His twin brother Kyle can still go out with his friends but Ryan has to stay in.
"He was such a social boy and now his whole life is grounded, as well as having to deal with the cancer."
Audrey, who owns her own business, is now determined to raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for with Hodgkins Lymphoma.
She said: "I would never have thought that itching or weightloss was a sign of cancer.
"I just want other parents to be aware of the signs. Ryan was diagnosed quite early but if it went on longer we could have been in a different situation.
"You need to know your kids. It's hard when boys are teenagers, they don’t tell you anything, but I just knew something was wrong."
A fundraiser has now been launched to help keep Ryan's spirits up while he's stuck at home.
The money raised will go towards making him a 'man cave' to aid in his recovery and setting astroturf and goals in his garden, so he can still practice his sport.
His mum has praised his football club for their support, with over £2,000 already raised.
You can donate to Ryan's fundraiser here.
