 A mum has shared how her healthy son's eye squint turned out to be a sign of a deadly brain tumour. Liesje Love, 43, noticed her eight-year-old son Lachie had developed a squint in one of his eyes three days before Christmas in December last year. While he had been his usual energetic self, when the eye started to turn inward Liesje took him to get checked with an optometrist – and the family's nightmare began. Lachie was referred to the emergency department and in January – just one week after going to the doctor – he was officially diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a type of brain tumour. The family learned that this form of cancer is both fatal and incurable, and although there were some treatment options available, they could only buy him months of time. They were told the heartbreaking news that children with this diagnosis survived, on average, for nine months, then advised to 'go home and make memories' together while they could. Liesje, a clinical psychologist, said of the moment her son was diagnosed: 'I was absolutely devastated 'He's so full of life – it just seems too hard to believe as there are no other signs. 'I don't think there are words to describe how you truly feel [receiving that news]. Nothing prepares you for this.' Aside from a squint, he showed no other symptoms (Picture: Jam Press/Liesje Love) The Auckland, New Zealand-based family were blindsided by their son's prognosis – particularly given how healthy Lachie appeared to be. 'His health was great. We had no issues. He was active and high energy,' recalled the mum. 'On 22 December he started to squint and one of his eyes started to turn in. Other than that, he was his usual self. He was full of energy, swimming every day, having sleepovers and playing sports with his friends.' After seeing an optometrist the following day, they returned for a follow-up appointment just after Christmas. Liesje s){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A mum has shared how her healthy son’s eye squint turned out to be a sign of a deadly brain tumour.
Liesje Love, 43, noticed her eight-year-old son Lachie had developed a squint in one of his eyes three days before Christmas in December 2022.
While he had been his usual energetic self, when the eye started to turn inward Liesje took him to get checked with an optometrist – and the family’s nightmare began.
Lachie was referred to the emergency department and in January – just one week after going to the doctor – he was officially diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a type of brain tumour.