My 6-year-old was rapidly gaining weight it was a sign of brain cancer

A schoolboy died from a deadly brain tumor after his weight doubled in 16 months.Luke Poga’s mum Sam, 42, initially attributed the nine-year-old’s rapid weight gain to a lack of exercise during the lockdown period.But she became so concerned she contacted a nutritionist.And when Luke started to get sore eyes he went for an optician who referred him to Barnet Hospital ophthalmology department.He was diagnosed with an inoperable high-grade glioma and died three years after his diagnosis.A change in body shape can be a sign of a brain tumor.Sam, a church volunteer, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, said: “When the children returned to school around July 2021, parents commented that Luke looked different.“He was always so slight, so it was a noticeable change for everyone who knew him.“Soon after, he had problems with his eyes and rubbed them saying they were sore, and I knew there was something wrong.“Doctors said the tumor was large but because it was diffused, they couldn’t operate.I remember feeling shocked.’’When he was six, Luke was already wearing clothes meant for 11-to-12-year-olds.After Sam continued to worry about her son’s weight she took Luke to Tesco Opticians and was referred to ophthalmology at Barnet Hospital.An MRI scan found an inoperable brain tumor.Sam, who is mum to Daisy, 12, said: ‘’I felt numb and couldn’t take in the information presented to me during the appointment.

Luke had combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment and lost the weight.“His eyesight remained intact, and for some time we enjoyed life as a family, whilst still navigating medical appointments.‘’At the beginning of 2024, doctors said Luke was terminal and, the warrior he was, he fought on for months longer than doctors gave him.”The cancer was sadly too aggressive, and Luke died at Watford General Hospital on August 26, 2024.Months later, in December, a 10-year-old girl at his school died of the disease.Now more than 300 staff and children...