Doctors said our son, 6, had a Christmas bug – but then came a devastating diagnosis

A FAMILY has been left devastated after their six-year-old son's "Christmas bug" turned out to be a deadly disease.

Little Jimmy Cragg, from Yateley, Hants, first started feeling unwell back in November - when he developed a cough, a cold, a sore throat, and a small lump on his neck.

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Over the next several weeks, his parents Wendy and Will took him to the GP multiple times and made several calls to 111 - but were consistently told Jimmy either had "a swollen gland", "tonsillitis", or "the usual Christmas bug going around schools".

However, when Jimmy started vomiting one night, Wendy and Will rushed him to A&E - despite doctors telling them to keep him at home.

It was then when they were finally given the "devastating" diagnosis: Jimmy had leukaemia.

Wendy, who works for a medical concierge clinic, said: "It started with the usual flu-like symptoms. He had a cold and a cough, and a dry mouth and sore throat.

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"When we noticed the small lump on his neck, though, we took him to the doctor. But they said 'not to worry' - it was just a swollen gland.

"He wasn't getting better over the next few weeks and we made a couple calls to 111.

"But they just told us: 'All the kids at school have it. It's one of the usual Christmas bugs.'"

Wendy, 43, said she and her husband Will, 46, got really worried when Jimmy "started speaking funny" before his school's Nativity.

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She said: "We took him back to the GP and they said it was probably tonsillitis.

"We then had to really push to get him antibiotics - and they weren't very forthcoming with it but finally prescribed some for him.

"But after five days, he was still showing no improvement and we called 111 again on December 15.

"They told us to finish the course."

However, that evening Jimmy started vomiting - and Wendy and Will, an engineer surveyor, rang 111 another time.

"A doctor told us it was just due to tonsillitis and we needed to wait it out," Wendy said.

"I asked whether we should take him to A&E and they said he needed to finish his course of antibiotics.

"But we were done by then. We got in the car and took him to hospital."

Wendy, Will, and Jimmy spent hours waiting in Southampton General Hospital and when they were seen, were told Jimmy probably had glandular fever rather than tonsillitis.

"But we pushed for more blood tests and while they did them Jimmy was also seen by a consultant,"; Wendy said.

"When the consultant was examining him - he found bruising on his back. It was new - I hadn't seen it before."

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A short while later, Wendy and Will were taken into a room and told Jimmy had leukaemia - a type of blood cancer.

Wendy said: "It's every parent's worst nightmare. It was just the worst thing to hear.

"We were just massively shocked. We still are."

Wendy said she wants to raise awareness amongst other parents as the symptoms are often not caught.

She said: "We later found out that leukaemia is actually very rare in children - there are only a thousand or so diagnosed every year in the UK.

"So that means a lot of GPs actually don't know to look out for these symptoms.

"The symptoms are really similar to usual coughs and colds - but things that help differentiate them include bruising you can't explain.

"Again, that's difficult - as six-year-olds bump into everything.

"But you should also look out for glands in the groin area.

"We're lucky that we caught it early - but that's because we took him to A&E even though we were told not to.

"Who knows what would have happened if we didn't?

"I'd tell parents they have to trust their guts."

Undergoing chemotherapy

Jimmy is currently having chemotherapy once a week and undergoing lumbar punctures.

Wendy says he's already got all the doctors and nurses "wrapped around his finger".

She said: "It's because he's just such a little character. Everyone loves his infectious little laugh.

"He's incredibly popular.

"He's also just a really good boy. He takes his medicine even though it doesn't taste nice.

"Of course, he's down because he's been here a long time. He's really sporty and active - so it's hard being here.

"But as he supports Manchester City we've promised him a home game at Etihad Stadium when he gets better so that helps him when he's feeling down.

"We're trying to keep things age appropriate for him. We've just explained that his blood is poorly.

"We don't want him to be scared.

"And he's not. He's being very brave."

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Raising money to improve hospital facilities

Since Jimmy is spending so much time at Southampton General Hospital, he decided to set up a GoFundMe to raise some money to improve the facilities.

He's aiming to walk 1,000 steps every day with his new companion - an IV stand nicknamed ROBO - and hopes to raise £25,000.

Wendy said: "The staff on our ward who look after the kids and their families are amazing. But there are parts of the ward that are run-down.

"For example, there's a microwave, but when you're trying to quickly sort your evening ready meal, it takes ten minutes instead of three. That kind of thing.

"There's a small family room with some games but one day Jimmy just said, 'Maybe we could help get some more games. I've played them all now.' "His treatment also makes him sensitive to light - and the blinds you can't easily pull down. You have to attach them to something heavy.

"And he said: 'Maybe we could get some new blinds.' It just kind of snowballed from there."

Wendy and Jimmy are hoping they may be able to put a ping pong table in the the family room - as well as some other sociable games.

They'd also like to update the ward's microwave, washing machine, and its furniture.

Wendy said: "We just want to help provide some more things for the families who stay there.

"The days can be extremely long. Every minute feels like an hour. So anything to put a smile on people's faces."

Christmas Day in hospital

Wendy said she and Will are trying to stay strong but admitted things are challenging.

She said: "I must admit I was extremely down on Christmas Day.

"It's just sad. It's not the same spending Christmas in hospital.

"We tried to make it fun for Jimmy - and the staff were so kind too - but as a family we had plans to be in South Africa with my family.

"It would have been the first time in 12 years.

"Will is trying to keep things together and cheer us all up. But I can tell everyday how upset he is too.

"I think it's just traumatising each day. You get that blissful moment when you first wake up when you don't remember - and then it hits you.

"But we're staying strong. We're just trying to make Jimmy as happy as we can.

"And we are in a position where we've caught this early. So we're grateful for that - and grateful that we trusted our instincts."

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So far, Jimmy has raised £14,000 of his £25,000 goal.

To dontate, visit his GoFundMe: .