'My son's cancer journey is inspirational'

A woman has described how her six-year-old son's battle with leukaemia has inspired those around him.

Vinnie, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, was diagnosed with leukaemia in October 2021 when he was two years old - just six days after his mother Grace had a double mastectomy due to cancer risk.

She said her son has experienced a "whirlwind of hellish things" since then.

But the 32-year-old added that "her amazing little boy" has now entered remission, finishing his treatment on New Year's Eve.

Grace said it felt like someone had hit her around the head with an "emotional sledgehammer" when she saw Vinnie ring a bell at his school to mark the milestone.

"I can't even express how much he's been through. [But] he's never once stopped being positive and kept going on.

"And his sister as well," she added. "They've been through more than most adults would ever go through in their entire lives.

"What they have both been through is a true inspiration."

Grace had taken Vinnie to a doctor after noticing little red dots on his feet while getting him ready for nursery in the morning.

That evening he was hospitalised.

"It was a nightmare," she said. "From there it was just a blur.

"Every time you hear about someone getting told they have got cancer you think there is this big build-up, but Vinnie was fine. He was eating, drinking and running around chatting."

Vinnie received intensive chemotherapy in hospital and was discharged five weeks later.

"He couldn't eat, he couldn't drink, he couldn't walk. He couldn't really speak. He was in a lot of pain," said Grace.

By the summer of 2022 Vinnie had recovered enough to play with his seven-year-old sister and attend nursery school, though he had to be isolated at home if his classmates got sick due to the risk of exposure.

"Suddenly, he could do the simple little things that any other kid could do," said Grace.

"He was off smiling. He was just so happy. We could breathe again."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.