Parents of Peterborough boy who has beaten cancer twice cried when he tried on school uniform

Four-year-old Josh Stockhill has spent much of his life in hospital battling leukaemia - at one point his parents were told the little fighter might not make it through the night.

But now Josh, from Orton Malborne, has beaten the disease - and later this week he will go to school for the first time - something that at some points, mum Kirsty thought might never happen.

Kirsty (36) said: “I got so emotional when he tried the uniform on. We have seen so many children who have not made it through our journey - we are so thankful Josh has this chance.”

Josh was less than a year old when he was diagnosed with the condition for the first time.

Kirsty said: “When he was just eight months old we noticed he had come out in bruises, but there was no reason for this as he was not crawling or walking.

“We never, ever thought it would be leukaemia.

“We went to the doctors, who saw the bruising and a pimply rash, and sent us to Peterborough City Hospital for a blood test.

“When they saw us they said they suspected it was leukaemia, and aid he needed to go to Addenbrooke’s. We were there at 8pm that night.

“Infantile leukaemia is very rare, and we were told there was a 50/50 chance of treatment working.

“The treatment was meant to last for six months, but he had sepsis, and we nearly lost him at nine months. We were told he might not make it through the night.”

In the end the treatment lasted 18 months - but in May 2018 the family were given devastating news, when they were told the cancer had returned.

Kirsty said: “He had a rash and an abscess on his face - we kept asking if it had returned . We went back to Addenbrooke’s and were told he had relapsed, and he needed a bone marrow transplant.

“We had just found out we were expecting out third son at the time, so there was a lot going on. Josh’s brother was not a suitable match so we had to rely on a donor.

“We had to relocate to Bristol while he had treatment, so his brother had to be schooled in the hospital, and Josh needed radiotherapy twice a day. Because he was so young, he had to have general anaesthetic so he only had an hour a day to eat. It was horrible.”

Since having the life saving transplant, Josh has continued to recover - although the family had to shield for 12 weeks during the height of the Covid pandemic this year. Now the family, which includes dad Craig and brothers Zach and Olly, can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Kirsty said: “When he was initially diagnosed, it was a bit chaotic, as we had to get to Cambridge, sort out our other son and do lots of things. It was only later when it hit me.

“There were also times when we were told he might not make it through the night. You start planning funerals in your head.

“We have been to funerals of children we met along the way - we are so thankful for getting through it.

“Josh will still need check ups and to take medication for the rest of his life. He still gets very tires, but he is very independent - he can be loud, and likes his own way, like any four-year-old.”

Kirsty is now keen to spread the message about donation - especially of cord blood, which helped save Josh’s life.

She said: “It was a cord blood donation from Spain that saved him. Some hospitals keep it, some don’t but it can be a real life saver.

“We were lucky that it was a 10 out of 10 match for Josh.

“It is so, so important - if you ever get the chance to donate, please do.”

For more information, visit https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/blood-services/cord-blood-donation/