Mum told 'sassy' son needed potty training - and that cancer was just constipation

A mum was told her son had constipation and "just needed potty training" after taking his cancer symptoms to the doctor. Sheena Harrad, now 37, took her son Adam to the doctors after becoming increasingly concerned over his lack of verbal communication and increased crying when he was aged two.

However, doctors told her that he was constipated and needed potty training. Unsatisfied with the diagnosis, Sheena was constantly in and out of A&E with Adam and was told each time that there was nothing wrong with him despite the fact he was experiencing leg pain. Adman underwent an MRI scan when he was five, revealing he had ganglioneuroblastoma - an intermediate tumour arising from nerve tissues.

He had a cancerous tumour in his stomach measuring 15cm and another wrapped around his spine which explained his difficulties with walking and going to the toilet. The brave toddler underwent a 12-hour operation, removing the tumours in his stomach and spine.

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Speaking of her struggle to get help, she said: "He was about two years old when it all started. He couldn't speak much, he was crying constantly and I kept taking him to the doctors but they were saying he was constipated."

Adam received his cancer diagnosis at Nottingham Hospital in 2020. However, due to Covid restrictions at the time, Sheena had to stay at home with her other children while he underwent surgery.

"After the 12-hour surgery I got a phone call saying it was urgent and I had to go to the hospital - I thought he was dead," she heartbreakingly said. "They removed his stomach tumour but there is a bit left on his spine that is still being