A four-year-old boy and his father were reunited with their family after spending seven weeks in a hospital room while he was treated for a rare form of cancer.
Father James Stephenson, 32, from of Ackworth, West Yorkshire, isolated in 15ft hospital room with little Oliver so he could be with him while he underwent high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell treatment.
Oliver was admitted to hospital on 27th April for crucial treatment for neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that originates from immature nerve cells.
The pair were shielding and had to share the cramped square room with a separate bathroom and a window at Leeds General Infirmary which they could not leave.
James was at Oliver’s bedside throughout his treatment, but his mother, Laura, and brother Alfie were unable to visit due to the coronavirus pandemic.
James Stephenson, 32, from of Ackworth, West Yorkshire, holding Alfie, three, with mother Laura, 34, and Oliver, four
During his stay, Oliver could only see mother Laura, 34, and younger brother Alfie, three, over video call until last Friday when he was allowed to back home and be reunited with his family.
In a heartwarming welcome, supporters and neighbours lined the street with banners and gave a round of applause during the homecoming.
Footage hears people whistling and clapping as the family emerge from their car as one little girl chants ‘go Oliver’ while holding a banner.
Laura said she was ‘overwhelmed’ with excitement when they returned on Friday evening after being told in the morning her son was likely to be discharged days later.
Laura said: ‘He ran into my arms and we both just burst into tears – it was really emotional.
Oliver Stephenson, smiling in hospital whilst having treatment. He spent seven weeks at Leeds General Infirmary with his father James
‘Alfie went straight to had dad and they were both in tears too.’
She added: ‘In absolutely no time we were back home and totally back to normal.
‘The boys are arguing over their toys and what to eat for breakfast again, it’s great.’
While in hospital, James could visit a tea room 15 yards down the corridor but Oliver was not allowed to leave the room at all.
Oliver was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma on his kidney after some routine blood tests in January. Pictured: Oliver having treatment in hospital
However they were kept entertained with arts and crafts from the hospital’s play team and watching lots of Christmas films – Oliver’s favourite even in May.
Laura added: ‘Oliver’s time in hospital was really hard and frustrating for the entire family, including us back at home.
‘Seeing how poorly he was during chats over FaceTime was heartbreaking, I just wanted to give him a big cuddle.
‘He really wanted to see his mum.’
The 15ft hospital room at Leeds General Infirmary where Oliver and James spent seven weeks together
It comes after Oliver was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma on his kidney after some routine blood tests in January.
The cancer, a rare type that develops from immature nerve cells and affects around 100 children in the UK each year, has tragically spread to his skull, eye sockets and bone marrow.
He has undergone two operations since his diagnosis and faces up to a year of treatment.
Alfie celebrated his third birthday alongside his mother, father and brother after James and Oliver left hospital
Spending a month in hospital had always been part of Oliver’s treatment plan – but Laura and James had never anticipated it taking place during the lockdown.
Laura said: ‘It was always on the agenda but at the time we thought James and I would swap every couple of days.
‘He could have had visits from grandparents and friends – at least people could have gone to see him.
In a heartwarming welcome, supporters and neighbours lined the street with banners and gave a round of applause during the homecoming as Laura told how she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the support
‘We knew it was going to be difficult but the pandemic has made it ten times worse.
‘It’s just heartbreaking not being able to hold him or to be there for him.
‘He is only four so doesn’t really understand why mummy isn’t there and I don’t want him to think that I have abandoned him.’
Laura and little Alfie were able to video call Oliver three or four times a day and they dropped off clean clothes outside the hospital for a nurse to collect.
But now Oliver has returned home, the family will have to remain in quarantine for some weeks.
Laura and James hope to take Oliver to the USA for pioneering Bivalent treatment, which is hoped will reduce the risk of the cancer returning if chemotherapy is successful.
The family have set up a donation page and they are campaigning to raise £230,000 to cover the costs of the treatment and travel.
They have already raised more than £135,000 but their big fundraising events over the summer have been cancelled due to the lockdown.
Laura added: ‘It would mean the world to us to raise the money. It could be life-saving.
‘To me and James, this could save our son’s life.’