A mother has told of her worry as a huge tumour on her son’s side grew so rapidly that it’s forcing his arm into the air.
Tamara Welsh first noticed a lump underneath one-year-old Ruel’s shoulder in February.
The 33-year-old immediately took her son to the doctor because the swelling looked unusual and wasn’t something she had seen before.
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Doctors carried out further investigations and an MRI confirmed it was every parent’s worst fear – a tumour.
Now, months after the lump was first discovered, it’s continued to grow and has become so large that Ruel can no longer fully put his arm down.
When he walks, one arm hangs naturally by his side while the other is held up because of the tumour.
“The main thing we are noticing now is that the lump is starting to affect how he moves,” Tamara, a cleaning business owner from Birmingham, told Need To Know.
“It has grown to the point where he can’t fully put his arm down, so when he walks, one arm is down by his side and the other is held up because of the lump.
“The strange thing is that Ruel doesn’t know any different.
“He’s still happy, walking around and getting on with his life.
“He doesn’t seem to understand that there’s anything unusual about the way he’s holding his arm.”
Ruel had previously been in excellent health and was reaching his milestones ahead of expectations.
He was walking by just 11 months old and has remained a happy, bubbly baby throughout the ordeal.
Tamara said: “Ruel has always been in great health.
“He’s hit his milestones really quickly, much earlier than we expected.
“He was actually walking at just 11 months old, and he’s absolutely thriving.
“He’s such a happy, bubbly baby and has always been full of personality.
“He’s gorgeous, full of life and just generally such a happy little boy.”
The family initially had no idea what was causing the lump.
After visiting doctors, Ruel underwent scans and investigations before an MRI found the tumour.
The family was subsequently seen at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where a surgeon noticed Ruel’s birthmarks and raised the possibility of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) – a genetic disorder that causes tumours, both benign and cancerous.
Doctors are now investigating whether there could be a genetic link, with Ruel due to undergo genetic testing.
His mum stressed that NF1 has not been confirmed and is just a possibility being investigated by his medical team.
She said: “Initially, we went to numerous doctors because nobody really knew what the lump was.
“The scans weren’t able to tell us exactly what it was.
“It was the MRI that showed that it was a tumour, which then led to further investigations.
“We then attended Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where one of the surgeons noticed Ruel’s birthmarks.
“She seemed to recognise something about the pattern and colours of the birthmarks and started discussing it with the other doctors.
“They raised the possibility that it could be something called NF1, or neurofibromatosis type 1.”
The possibility that her young son could have a genetic condition has added another layer of uncertainty for the family.
She said: “Because of this, we’ve also been told that Ruel will need genetic testing, as there could potentially be a genetic link.
“At this stage, NF1 is something the doctors are investigating as a possibility rather than something that has definitely been confirmed.”
For his mum, the news that her baby had a tumour was devastating.
She said: “I was absolutely heartbroken when I received the news.
“I literally didn’t know what to say.
“I never imagined that something like this could happen to us.
“You never really think that something like this could happen to your own child, and it made me realise that these things really can happen to anybody.
“My biggest concern was simply my baby.
“All I wanted to do was hold him and make sure he was okay.”
Yet throughout the scans, appointments and testing, Ruel has continued to be his usual cheerful self.
His mum believes that his personality has helped the family cope with the uncertainty surrounding his diagnosis.
She said: “Ruel has honestly been so bubbly and happy throughout everything.
“As far as we can tell, the tumour hasn’t really affected him, which I think has made everything a little easier for us emotionally.
“He’s just been his usual happy self through all the appointments, tests and scans.
“I know there are families who have children who are visibly very unwell, and I feel incredibly grateful that Ruel hasn’t been like that.
“He’s still just our happy little baby.”
Despite his otherwise good health, his rapidly growing tumour is now the family’s biggest concern.
Ruel has not yet started treatment and his mother is waiting for doctors to decide what should happen next.
A panel meeting is expected to take place to discuss the tumour, with surgery believed to be the next stage.
She said: “At the moment, Ruel hasn’t started any treatment, as we’re still waiting for the doctors to decide exactly what the next steps will be.
“The concern now is that the tumour is growing quite rapidly and has become quite large.
“We’re waiting for a panel meeting where the doctors will discuss the tumour and decide what needs to happen next.
“We’ve been told that surgery is expected to be the next stage, but we’re still waiting for the full plan from the medical team.”
The family is also awaiting genetic testing and further appointments.
For his mum, the months since discovering the lump have been a surreal experience of waiting for answers while trying to remain positive for her son.
She added: “I just want to say that I have so much respect for any mums and dads who are going through something similar, because it is honestly so surreal.
“When it’s your child, it’s difficult to even put into words what it feels like.
“You never imagine that you’ll have to face something like this with your own baby.
“I think it could potentially be one of the hardest things you ever have to go through as a parent.
“You’re constantly waiting for answers and trying to stay strong for your child, while also dealing with all the uncertainty yourself.
“We’re just trying to take everything one step at a time and stay positive for Ruel, because he is such a happy little boy.”
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