The family of a West Lothian teenage boy who thought he was 'at it' when he asked to stay off school were left shocked after he was given a brain tumour diagnosis.
For two years, Callum Scott, 13, was plagued by sore heads in the morning and said it felt like his skull 'was going to burst'. But it wasn't until the teenager, from Livingston told his family in February 2022 that he could only see colour from one eye that they decided to take him to an optician.
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Callum was then referred to hospital and his family were devastated to learn he had a tumour 'almost the size of a golf ball' that had been growing for five years.
Callum's aunty, Ashley Moore, 32, told the Record: "We thought Callum was at it. He had just started high school and we thought he was a typical teenager and he didn't want to go.
"It wasn't apparent that there was a problem until he started having problems with his eyesight. That led to the appointment with the opticians, which was when it was found there was a tumour present.
"He was sent straight to the hospital."
Medics diagnosed Callum with Craniopharyngioma, a rare benign tumour that affects around two in every two million people each year. It begins in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain and can put pressure on the nerves, blood vessels or brain tissue.
Since his diagnosis seven months ago, the schoolboy has had surgery twice - with his most recent operation to remove the 42mm lump last week.
Surgeons were able to remove 95 per cent of Callum's tumour and he will receive radiotherapy sessions to remove the remainder of the tissue.
Although his tumour is non- cancerous, his family have been warned that it is likely to return.
Ashley added: "It is still quite severe due to the tumour growing on his pituitary gland. Cysts began to develop around the lump and it was growing rapidly. It has grown 6cm since February this year.
"When the tumour was found, his symptoms got a lot worse. He couldn't sleep, he was putting on a lot of weight and he was really grumpy.
"He gets really poorly whenever he is under any sort of stress. He'll pass out, get extremely tired, dizzy and sick. His vision can go, and he says it feels like his head is going to explode."
Callum's family have commended his bravery during his treatment, with the youngster unable to go to school or see his pals since February.
Ashley continued: "The strength and bravery he has drawn is absolutely incredible. He is funny and witty, but actually a really caring little boy.
"His mum is diabetic and he makes sure that she has her insulin and checks her glucose and sugar levels. It is just so unfair this has happened to him. He's unable to go out and see his pals and he is missing school, it devastates us to watch it happening."
Callum's loved ones are now on a mission to raise awareness of symptoms of brain tumours in children.
Ashley added: "If your child has a headache, is dizzy, sick and complaining of sore eyes get it checked out, don't even think twice. Don't leave it any longer, you just don't know what it is going to be. We just thought that he was at it and didn't want to go to school.
"After a while, it was just constant and the discomfort and pain got worse, it wasn't apparent straight away. If your child is presenting these symptoms, please just go and get eyes tested and get checked. Please take them seriously.
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As Callum's vision deteriorates, Ashley has launched a fundraiser to cover the costs of activities on his bucket list - including a dream driving experience.
She said: "When Callum got diagnosed with his brain tumour, his biggest worry was losing his vision as he has always wanted to drive a car. One of the main things on his bucket list is having a driving experience.
"Others include going to theme parks - if he is well enough he wants to go on a rollercoaster. I want to give him the chance to have the experiences that he is worried he might not be able to have one day."
Donate to the fundraiser here. More information about Craniopharyngioma tumours can be found here.
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