A mother expressed her devastation after being advised by medical professionals to administer Gaviscon to her eight-year-old son for his back discomfort, only to later discover it was cancer. Ffion Smith recounted that when her son, Ruben Troy, initially complained of sharp pains in April 2026, she attributed it to his active play habits. However, a week later, Ruben collapsed at a friend’s house, writhing in pain.
Despite seeking medical help and multiple visits to the doctor, Ffion felt dismissed as doctors attributed Ruben’s symptoms to a stomach issue caused by a poor diet. Following persistent concerns and advocating for further tests, blood work on June 29 revealed that Ruben was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, Ruben is now recuperating at home. Ffion remains frustrated at the initial misdiagnosis and urges parents to advocate for their children’s health. She emphasized the need for parents to trust their instincts and seek further medical attention if they suspect something is amiss.
To support Ruben’s treatment, Ffion has created a GoFundMe page. She hopes that by sharing her son’s ordeal, other parents will be more vigilant about their children’s health. Ffion highlighted the emotional toll the situation had on her family and expressed optimism for Ruben’s recovery.
Responding to the situation, a spokesperson for NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board expressed sympathy for Ruben and his family. While refraining from specific comments on individual cases, the board assured that concerns raised by patients are taken seriously to ensure quality care for the region’s residents.
