A DEVASTATED family has launched a £100,000 fundraiser appeal after their five-year-old son has been left unable to speak due to a tragic brain cancer diagnosis.
Laura and Toygun Kurtul took son Taylan to the GP earlier this year after the youngster began to complain of a sore head, which would cause him to lose his balance as he walked or ran.
Following advice and a referral to the hospital for a CT and MRI scan, the worried family were given the devastating news that their son had a brain tumour.
Although surgery did successfully remove the majority of the tumour cells, Taylan showed symptoms of posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) – a condition which can occur after undergoing surgical operations.
Whilst Taylan from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire underwent a successful six-hour surgery, the brave youngster has since been left with vision and mobility issues, and can heartbreakingly no longer speak.
In a further blow, Taylan was diagnosed with high grade medulloblastoma – a cancer which accounts for 20% of all brain tumours – meaning it was imperative to start treatment as soon as possible.
Brave Taylan is now desperate to recover from the surgery so he can undergo nine months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
He is now also undergoing physiotherapy to relearn how to sit, walk, eat and more.
In order to help with the costs of his recovery, a GoFundMe fundraiser was set up for the youngster last month by Taylan’s aunt, Rebecca Chamberlain, on behalf of the family.
Rebecca wrote: “I write this with a heavy heart on behalf of my sister Laura and her husband Toygun because our family needs your help.
“What they are going through is simply unimaginable. Just a few weeks ago their precious only child, five-year-old Taylan was a bright and happy little boy, loving life and with his whole future ahead of him…and then their lives changed forever.
“On Tuesday 30 May, Laura took Taylan to the GP after she noticed he was losing balance when walking or running and was complaining of a headache.
“The GP told them to go straight to the hospital for further tests.
“After a CT scan and an MRI scan and the longest few days of their life waiting for the results, the doctors confirmed the utterly devastating news that Taylan had a tumour on his brain.
“Without yet knowing if the tumour was benign or cancerous, an urgent operation was imperative to save his life and was scheduled for a few days later.
“Taylan endured a six-hour operation and the surgeons were able to remove the majority of the tumour but devastatingly, when Taylan came round it was evident he was suffering from PFS.
“This is a collection of side effects as a direct result from the surgery on the cerebellum – the back part of the brain.
“It has left Taylan with vision issues, a weakened one side of his body and perhaps the most upsetting symptom, he has lost his ability to speak. Then came the diagnosis.
“The words of every parent’s nightmare. ‘Your son has brain cancer’. High grade medulloblastoma. Aggressive and fast-growing. Utterly life shattering, the news is still so raw and it truly hasn’t sunk in.
“I doubt it ever will. It’s simply a living nightmare. Taylan faces nine months of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy across various hospitals far from home including Manchester.
“Not only is he battling the recovery from major surgery, he also has the debilitating Posterior Fossa Syndrome and the prospect of months and months of treatment. So much for a little five-year-old to take.
“He is fighting really hard to get strong enough for the imminent treatment. Learning to sit, walk, drink and eat all over again is no easy feat. Physiotherapy will be ongoing.
“It is not known if or when his vision and his speech will fully return. To hear him say ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’ again one day will be the greatest sound. It’s almost his 6th birthday.
“The party celebrations are on hold. He will be mid-way into radiotherapy. We want to make sure his 7th birthday and beyond is happy and bright celebrating with his family and friends.
“His classmates miss him. Even the family cat Nala missed him and wants him home. The sunflowers he recently planted at home with mummy are growing without him.
“Just 52 children a year are diagnosed with medulloblastoma in the UK. So rare and you never expect it to happen to your loved one, but it’s happening and they need help and support in so many ways.
“We don’t know what the future holds and we are praying he responds well to the radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“We want to be ready for any privately funded treatments here or abroad that Taylan may need to beat this. It’s a long road ahead for Taylan, Laura and Toygun and with this comes huge financial difficulties.
“Both Laura and Toygun will be with Taylan every step of the way as understandably every ounce of their time and energy is focused on their beautiful boy and getting him well again.
“I desperately want them to keep their home and to alleviate the costs of travel, bills, accommodation, physiotherapy, possible amendments at home and anything else that should arise.”
The family shared an update earlier this month following a slew of donations, writing: “We are blown away by the amount of love and support given for our beautiful Tay.
“It really is incredible how everyone has come together to help us as a family as we face the unimaginable. Saying just thank you will never seem enough.
“Taylan has finished his induction chemotherapy and is now facing the horrible side effects but being so brave! We hope he will feel a little better in the next few days.
Thank you so much everyone, We’re overwhelmed.”
Many were quick to share their support for the family.
Marie Batchelder wrote: “Thinking of you all every day. Keep going strong, you little warrior! Lots and lots of love from Marie, Dan and Issy (and the cats of course).”
Emanuela Borruso said: “Sending positive energies to Taylan and his family. You will get through this and
Taylan will grow strong and have a beautiful life ahead of him.”
Kate Owen commented: “Heartbreaking news to hear. Sending you all the biggest amount of love and strength in the world.”
Vicki Dooley added: “As the mummy of a little boy, this really struck a chord with me. I cannot even fathom what you are going through. Wishing you all the luck in the world.”
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised an incredible £54,947 – to donate, you can visit this link: https://gofund.me/e90eb5f6
