Boy, 5, Went to Get Eye Glasses for School. An Eye Test Led to the Discovery of a Brain Tumor That Needed Chemotherapy

**Cambridgeshire Family Faces Devastating Diagnosis of Rare Brain Cancer in Young Son**

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a young boy from Cambridgeshire has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer after a seemingly routine eye test. Five-year-old Teddy Hemms, who had just started school, went to the local Specsavers in September for an update to his glasses prescription. However, the eye examination revealed swelling behind his eyes, prompting immediate concern.

Teddy’s mother, Cindy Hemms, explained that her son had displayed no significant symptoms, aside from a slight degree of blurred vision and occasional headaches, which they had attributed to eye strain. This shocking diagnosis led to a swift referral to Peterborough City Hospital, where he underwent an urgent MRI and CT scan the following day.

Following the scans, Teddy was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where medical professionals made the devastating discovery of a mass behind his eye that required surgical removal. On the day of the operation, Teddy’s family were informed that he had multiple cancerous masses, and he was subsequently diagnosed with grade 4 medulloblastoma, a particularly aggressive brain tumour characterised by MYC amplification large cell anaplastic.

“I couldn’t believe it; I went into a state of shock,” remarked Ian Hemms, Teddy’s father, who serves in the Royal Air Force. He expressed the helplessness parents feel when confronting such life-threatening challenges, stating, “As a parent, it’s extremely tough because there’s nothing you can do.”

After undergoing surgery, doctors discovered that the cancer had metastasised to Teddy’s spine, as well as revealing lesions in his brain. By October, Teddy commenced an intensive treatment regime, which included radiation therapy for both his brain and spine, accompanied by chemotherapy. Cindy recounted how doctors warned them that without treatment, Teddy would have only six to 12 weeks to live. “It was a complete shock,” she acknowledged, sharing her struggles with the emotional toll that came with this revelation.

In November, Teddy’s condition worsened when it was discovered that his brain ventricles had filled with fluid, necessitating an emergency brain shunt. Although he bounced back relatively quickly from this procedure, the aftermath left him unable to walk or sit unaided, greatly impacting his typically active nature.

“He’s become withdrawn,” Cindy noted, adding that the routine activities he once enjoyed were now out of reach. “He didn’t want to sit on the floor to play, or be in a wheelchair. When we got him home, he would commando crawl across the floor and started pulling himself up on furniture,” she said, reflecting on Teddy’s resilience amid such challenges.

To be with her son throughout this difficult journey, Cindy made the difficult decision to step away from her career as an events manager. Meanwhile, Ian has adjusted his work commitments to part-time hours as a fabricator, allowing him to lend additional support to his family during this trying time.

After taking a brief respite from treatment in early 2026, Teddy has since resumed his chemotherapy and is scheduled to continue until August. “When he took his first steps again, we were crying and clapping like he was a baby doing it for the first time,” Cindy reminisced. Teddy’s determination has been evident, as he has expressed a desire to dance with his stepdad while listening to music, despite still grappling with mobility issues.

Recent scans indicate that the metastases in Teddy’s spine have significantly reduced; however, he still has two brain tumours that remain stable. The family continues to navigate this arduous journey day by day, fortified by the optimism and love they share.

In an effort to help alleviate the rising medical costs associated with Teddy’s ongoing treatment, Cindy and Ian have launched a GoFundMe campaign. “Looking to the future wasn’t getting anyone through the days – so we take things one day at a time,” Cindy shared. “We don’t know if he’ll get through this, but we’re staying positive for him.”

As they face a future shrouded in uncertainty, the Hemms family remains committed to supporting each other and cherishing every moment together. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the strength of familial bonds and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.