Toddler Misdiagnosed Three Times Before Brain Cancer Discovery
Emily Cable, a 30-year-old mother, has shared the distressing story of how her son Frank was misdiagnosed by doctors on three separate occasions before a rare brain tumor was finally identified. Frank began showing initial signs of illness in April 2024 when he was just one year old, displaying symptoms of fatigue and irritability that quickly escalated.
Initial Symptoms and Repeated Misdiagnoses
Within two weeks, Frank's condition deteriorated to include breathlessness, prompting a visit to a private general practitioner. The GP diagnosed a chest infection and prescribed a five-day course of antibiotics, but Frank's health continued to decline rapidly. He soon developed vomiting and extreme lethargy, leading to two additional visits to their local GP. On both occasions, medical professionals believed Frank was suffering from a viral infection, dismissing the possibility of a more serious underlying condition.
Emergency Hospital Admission and Diagnosis
Less than twenty-four hours after the third GP appointment, Frank experienced a massive seizure that came completely out of the blue, necessitating an emergency rush to A&E at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Medical staff performed a CT scan and X-ray, revealing a large tumor at the back of Frank's head accompanied by significant fluid buildup. On May 23, 2024, at just fifteen months old, Frank was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, specifically an ependymoma, a cancerous growth with symptoms that can include headaches, nausea, coordination issues, and seizures.
Life-Saving Surgery and Intensive Care
The fluid accumulation placed Frank at high risk of stroke or additional seizures, leading doctors to place him in an induced coma. He was then transferred via intensive care ambulance to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for immediate life-saving surgery. Emily described the terrifying moment of seeing her son in a coma surrounded by medical equipment, stating she sobbed and told her husband, "We can’t lose him." Less than a week later, Frank underwent an eleven-hour surgery to remove the brain tumor, a procedure that required the family to say goodbye beforehand, not knowing the outcome.
Radiotherapy Treatment and Recovery Journey
Following successful surgery, Frank began a six-week course of proton beam therapy at University College London Hospital in June 2024, a highly targeted form of radiotherapy. The treatment took a severe toll, causing exhaustion, loss of appetite, and the need for a feeding tube, leaving him with little energy to crawl or play. By the end of 2024, scans confirmed Frank was in remission, a moment Emily celebrated with tears of joy while collecting her daughters from school.
Long-Term Impact and Family Support
Frank's development was significantly impacted by the surgeries and treatments, with him only beginning to talk and walk from November 2025 onwards, using a walking frame for mobility. He continues to spend considerable time in hospital and will require regular scans over the next decade to monitor his health. Emily praised the staff at Broomfield Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital for their incredible support, particularly highlighting the play team who helped Frank feel comfortable during his recovery. The family now supports Gosh Charity, emphasizing that while life has changed forever, they cherish every milestone, from Frank's first steps to hearing him say his sisters' names.
