UK & World News
- 19 December 2012, 2:23
Cancer Boy Surgery Ruling Defies Mum's Wishes
A judge has ruled that a seven-year-old boy should have surgery to remove a brain tumour despite the objections of his mother.
Mr Justice Bodey said an operation to remove a "residual tumour" left behind after earlier surgery should go ahead even though Neon Roberts' mother, Sally, refused to consent.
A doctor treating Neon said a scan showed the surgery needed to be carried out "urgently".
He said the tumour could spread without the operation and it was "highly likely" Neon would die within a "relatively short period" without further treatment.
Ms Roberts had told the court she wanted opinions from more doctors before proceeding with further surgery.
It is understood Neon could have the operation today.
Until the presence of the tumour was found by the scan, the court had been due to rule on whether Neon should undergo radiation treatment for cancer, a move that had also been opposed by Ms Roberts.
She told an earlier hearing she was concerned the radiotherapy would have a "damaging effect" on Neon's future.
The boy's father Ben, who lives in London and is separated from Ms Roberts, agreed to the radiotherapy but was "apprehensive", the court heard.
Mr Justice Bodey is expected to hear more argument on the radiotherapy issue at the High Court on Thursday after being updated on Neon's progress.
Update:
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what do you think?
t.bulgin
Lets all hope that it goes well for him.
ali baba
this is a very sad story cause deep down i know where the mother is coming from it seems the difference is he will die in a short period without the op... or die in a longer period with the op the question here is how much more pain does she want her beloved son to have her choices are kinda warped whatever she chooses
Tricky One
Agreed. Is really that hard to see her point of view?
Louisa Gieldon
I agree with you both. It's too easy to judge this mother when we've been lucky enough not to need to make this sort of "Hobson's choice". Very difficult.
Tricky One
Moreover there are other options like the highly successful treatments by the Burzynski Clinic..
Chris Carr
Dying slowly has a "damaging effect" on a child's future. It is so sad that so people become blinded by their prejudices. If my son was in this situation I would be terrified but would want the doctors to do what they, the experts, thought was best for him. I do hope he does ok.
Sam Cheney
Thats the thing though your not in this situation so you can't possibly know.I have so i can understand her reasons.She has been scared by something she has been told by a doctor.
Chris Carr
or pehaps she hasn't thought it through. Anyone who hinks alternative medicine can help with cancer or a brain tumour needs help.
Tricky One
It is kinda intriguing how someone who clearly knows very little about a subject can talk with such authority. When was the last time you looked into modern cancer treatments and their success rates around the world? Excluding mainstream media news reports.
Sophie Standen
So pleased to read he is having the operation! Hope he gets the radiotherapy too, as this will kill any cancerous cells that may still be present after the op, which in turn will drastically lower the chances of a possible tumour rearing It's ugly head...wishing the boy luck and a speedy recovery
Louisa Gieldon
It may not kill all the cancerous cells and may leave him severelt brain damaged. I am glad that i have never had to face such issues with my children and i think she is getting a bad press for being a loving mother questioning established wisdom and practice
ziggy1947
Common sense rules.
emma baxter
Isnt this the only chance he has ,Why wouldnt any mother want a life line for her children lets hope it is a posative result for the little mite god bless
Louisa Gieldon
Have you been in her situation emma? Let's not sit back and judge someone who is having to deal with a horrific dilemma such as this. She has done her research and is questioning the wisdom of the medical establishment. She has a perfect right to question and fight for what she considers best for he child, whom i am certain she loves very much.
heather
Surely there is no time to seek alternative medicine, aparantly the mother is worried about the damage this treatment radiotherapy will have on her son, well she may not have to worry about this if he doesn't get treated soon. I pray for this little boy.
davenlesley
Precisely Heather. Without this intervention he doesn't have a long term future
Chris Carr
Alternative medicine can't help with cases like this and anyone who thinks it can is deluded. I speak as someone tries the natural approach whenevr possible. Even Stone Age people performed brain surgery and survived.
Tricky One
Burzynski Clinic. Not alternative - but highly successful.
Mike Anon
At least this child now has a decent chance. I wish him & his family all the luck in the world
Mick Daniel
What a very sad story and I can fuly understand the mother. However, the court has made the right decision and lets hope and pray that the little lad makes a recovery. Nobody should judge the mother under these tragic circumstances
davenlesley
Apparently she is worried about the childs long term future if Radiotherapy is used. I am afraid he doesn't have a long term future without more surgery. Better do it now rather than wait until he has deteriorated and then have her berating doctors left right and centre to DO something to save him.
Emma Allum
Fingers crossed for Neon
Valerie Wood
It's a parents' worse nightmare and so unfair that life has put this decision on them. I wish the little boy all the best. x
Lorgar Aurelian
She called him Neon and his sister Electra. Did anyone expect intelligence and common sense from such a person?
Andrea Hill
thats awful, she maybe very intelligent. how rude of you.
Chris Carr
Lorgar: Many are thinking that, even if hey don't admit it. I know I was...
Tricky One
She has researched the subject. There are centres such as Burzynski Clinic which are so successful at treating cancer some say they have found a cure. Or, she could let him have this invasive treatment which is not 100% definitely going to cure him. But will def have horrible adverse affects. How much do you know about modern cancer treatments? Or do you just believe everything you are told..?
Louisa Gieldon
Lorgar that's unkind, especially given the terrible sadness of this story. She is obviously well educated and has chosen classical greek names.
Valerie Wood
I think Neon and Electra are lovely names
Juliecrumpton1234
They are nice names, but their names are not really the issue here, are they?
Ralphuntsman
This is barbaric! When will we in Western medicine realise that cancer cells are part of our bodies and that poisoning our bodies with Chemo/Radiotherapy or hacking out chunks that offend us, is not the way to treat a tumour & damages the body & it's immune system. ALKALISE & OXYGENATE the body to get rid of tumours.... Otto Warburg got a Nobel for his work on this in 1931.... Lets question 'Convention' and put a stop to the agony relatives face over how to 'treat' their loved ones.
Tricky One
Also check out Burzynski Clinic
Jamie ONeill
Tricky One, are you being paid commission by Burzynski Clinic?
movvi
What can you say? Wouldn't it be fab if this operation exceeds everyone's expectations, it is then found that no radiotherapy is necessary and Neon has no side effects at all? It won't really matter then if anyone was right or wrong.
Louisa Gieldon
It would indeed be fab and lets hope that will be the case for this poor wee boy and his family Movvi
GillieLouise
The little lad is in my prayers Movvi.....
Bernadette Griffin
I am with the judge. This little lad if this op is successful has his whole wonderful life ahead of him. An ordinary life, to make mistakes, experience happiness, travel, be educated and just have the life that he deserves. I am not a parent but I cannot for the life of me understand why a parent would not want their child to have that chance. We just need to think about those little ones murdered in the US they had no choice, this lady has the choice for her child. Please God it is successful.
shaun spencer
3:08pm on 18/12/2012
Surely she must understand now it makes sense to have the operation otherwise it sounds as if the boy wont be with them for a great deal longer.the very bust of luck to them all.
movvi
7:47pm on 19/12/2012
"Bust of luck"? Is that like "Breast wishes"? Tee hee x. Seriously, though, I hope he pulls through.