Doctors thought tot, 2, had stomach pains from constipation before parents given devastating diagnosis

Tommy Paul Quinn, from Bishopbriggs near Glasgow, felt unwell after returning from a family holiday in January. His mum Nicole quickly realised it was something more serious

A two-year-old tot was struck by a devastating diagnosis after his stomach pains were initially dismissed as constipation - before they then persisted after the family got back from a holiday.

His parents, Nicole, 37, and David, 41, observed that little Tommy Paul Quinn's discomfort seemed to flare up after meals, leading Nicole to suspect a food allergy. However, Tommy also had trouble sleeping, which compounded their concern.

The situation took a worrying turn during a family gathering when nurse Nicole noticed her son Tommy's lack of interest in play, his lethargy, and absence of thirst or toilet use, prompting her to contact NHS 24. Following their advice, the family rushed to Glasgow Children's Hospital.

Speaking to Glasgow Live, Nicole recounted the harrowing night. saying: "We had given him something to drink when we got home and we woke to find he had been sick everywhere. I just had a feeling that we needed to take him back because something wasn't right. He wasn't his usual self but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it was what it would turn out to be."

At the hospital, a doctor saw Tommy and said he thought the stomach pains were caused by constipation, asking to examine the little one's stomach. The mum added: "The registrar came in and felt his tummy and her face just dropped. Everything started spiralling from there."

The tot, from Bishopbriggs near Glasgow, had blood taken and an IV line installed, and a consultant organised an ultrasound scan for the youngster. Nicole said: "The consultant advised us that the mass is unlikely to be constipation and given his age and other symptoms, it is likely to be something nasty.

"Tommy had his scan the next day. The radiologist left the room and returned a while later advising the consultant would see us in the ward. We knew then something serious was going on."

After weeks of testing Nicole was given the shattering diagnosis that her little one had a rare and aggressive childhood cancer - Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma, which carries just a 50 per cent chance of survival. The tumour had taken root in his adrenal gland and spread to lymph nodes, thorax, and spinal cord.

Despite the grim diagnosis after the family holiday in January this year, Nicole says her son has an indomitable spirit and reveals how life for him carries on as per usual. "He is a typical boisterous boy who loves playing with cars. You see these things happening in the news but you never expect it to happen to your son," she said.

In defiance of the illness, Tommy remains spirited and lively, Nicole said. "He is blissfully unaware he is so sick," she said. "He'll be attached to four or five chemo lines and doing forward rolls in the ward. Me and David have to chase him with the machines when he is on his scuttle bug to make sure he doesn't go too far away."

The little fighter astonished everyone by bouncing back after several rounds of chemotherapy. His mum added: "It took him four or five chemo rounds to come back to himself. But he is a whirlwind now. He had keyhole surgery for his tumour and got home two days later. I looked away from him and he was outside on his trampoline bouncing away."

Throughout the ordeal, the young lad has been incredibly strong and cheerful. "He has amazed us all with his resilience and strength, keeping his cheeky smile and mischievous nature and making us so proud of how he is coping daily and taking it all in his stride," Nicole said.

The brave tot faces a long road ahead, with 18 months of treatment before the family can find out if the cancer is in remission. Despite the optimism, there's an undercurrent of fear, as the mum acknowledges the harsh reality that even with successful treatment, the risk of relapse is significant and something "frighteningly common with High Risk Neuroblastoma".

Adding to the family's concerns is the grim statistic that should the cancer return, the boy's chances of survival could plummet to 5-10 per cent. Despite this, they're staying hopeful and have started a fundraiser to afford potential treatments in England or even as far away as the United States - with treatments that might cost up to £250,000.

For those moved by Tommy's fight, contributions to support the cause can be made at the family's fundraising page.