A mother’s world was shattered just before Christmas when her vibrant five-year-old son, Theo, was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Kimberley Isaacs, 29, describes the heartache of seeing her once energetic boy, who loved beach trips, outdoor adventures, and playing with his dinosaurs, undergo intense medical treatment.
Late last year, Theo began showing unusual fatigue and bruising. In December, doctors diagnosed him with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer in children, after discovering a 30cm tumour in his liver. Further scans revealed the cancer had spread to his lungs.
Theo was transferred from Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Bristol, where he started a demanding 78-day chemotherapy regime. He is also on the waiting list for a liver transplant. Kimberley reveals the immense challenges, including multiple long chemotherapy sessions—one lasting 11 hours—several complex surgeries, and the placement of a double PICC line for treatment delivery.
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“It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Kimberley shares. “My world turned upside down on December 4. Theo has been put to sleep four times, battling high fevers of up to 41 degrees. On Christmas Day, he spent most of the time asleep due to chemotherapy.”
Despite his hardships, Theo’s condition continues to require vigilant care. He has lost over a stone and a half in weight and now depends on a feeding tube. Additionally, he faces complications such as a blood clot near his heart originating from the tumour.
Hepatoblastoma affects roughly 10 to 15 children yearly in the UK, mainly under two years old, making Theo’s diagnosis at five even more unusual and challenging. Kimberley, whose son also has a rare genetic disability involving chromosome 16, reflects on the signs she noticed in hindsight. “If I had known what to look for, maybe we could have acted sooner,” she says.
Next, Theo will begin further treatment in Birmingham, preparing for a liver transplant. The current wait for a donor liver is about a year, followed by a 12-week recovery period. Throughout this ordeal, Kimberley remains hopeful for her son’s future, despite the difficult journey ahead.
“She loved playing outside and was always so active,” Kimberley adds. “Now, he hasn’t been outside in weeks and rarely speaks or plays. His little tummy was so solid — please watch for bruising or lumps in your children.”
To support Theo’s ongoing treatment and family needs, loved ones have launched a GoFundMe campaign.