A Little Angel: Huxley’s Fight Against an Aggressive Tumour

Huxley was a little boy doted on by his mum, Alisha, and dad, Brendan.
“He was always laughing,” Alisha shares, her voice warm but tinged with sorrow.
Every day, Huxley brought joy to his family, filling their home with laughter, bright eyes, and tiny hugs.

But over time, Alisha and Brendan began to notice small things that felt “off” about Huxley.
At first, they brushed it off, thinking it was just a part of normal development.

Then, during Christmas 2023, Huxley caught COVID, and he did not bounce back as they had hoped.
He seemed weaker, quieter, and the small signs of concern became impossible to ignore.

Worried, Alisha decided to take Huxley to the hospital for thorough testing.

An X-ray revealed fluid on his lungs.
The very next morning, Huxley was taken for surgery to have a chest drain inserted.During the procedure, two doctors approached Alisha and Brendan.
“They said Huxley was okay, but we found a mass in his lung and want to perform a biopsy,” Alisha recalls.

Just an hour later, Alisha walked into a room to find about eleven doctors standing in a circle.
They looked at her and Brendan gravely and said, “We found a mass, and unfortunately, Huxley has cancer.”

Alisha felt as if her heart stopped.
The first thing she whispered, trembling, was: “Is he going to die?”
Huxley was just shy of his first birthday.

The doctors explained that Huxley had a malignant rhabdoid tumour – a very aggressive and hard-to-treat cancer.

“The oncologist told us that they had never seen anyone make it past age five,” Alisha says, her voice breaking.
For a moment, the world seemed to collapse around them.

But amidst the fear, Alisha and Brendan knew they had to fight for their little boy.
Through the Zero Childhood Cancer Program (ZERO), testing revealed that Huxley’s cancer was caused by a specific genetic mutation.

This discovery offered a glimmer of hope: his treatment could be targeted, directed specifically at the cancer’s genetic profile.

Huxley began his first rounds of chemotherapy.
Every day, the family watched him closely, hoping, praying that the treatments would work.After several sessions, scans revealed that the tumour in Huxley’s lung had shrunk to about half its original size.
For a moment, hope flickered in their hearts.
But joy was fleeting.

Another tumour was discovered under his collarbone, growing quietly and relentlessly.
Huxley had to start radiation therapy immediately to fight it.

Time passed.
Huxley completed his treatment as prescribed, enduring every infusion, every scan, every hospital visit.

Alisha and Brendan poured all their love and energy into caring for him – every medication, every feeding, every cuddle, every kiss.
But fate was merciless.
When Huxley underwent surgery to remove his central line, the surgeons discovered new tumour growth.The doctors had to tell Alisha and Brendan that there was nothing more that could be done.
Their world felt unbearably heavy.

Huxley was moved to palliative care.
Every day became precious, filled with moments they wanted to hold onto forever.

And just one short month later, Huxley passed away, holding his mother’s hand.
“He woke up, smiled, squeezed my hand, and took his last breath,” Alisha remembers, tears streaming down her face.

“It was as if he was reassuring us that he was okay.”

In their hearts, Alisha and Brendan know they did everything possible for Huxley.
All he ever knew was love, warmth, and the security of being held by his family.

They treasured each moment with him, holding him close until the very end.

Now, by sharing Huxley’s story, Alisha and Brendan hope to support other families experiencing loss.
They want to raise awareness of childhood cancer and help fund more treatments, so that no family has to endure this pain alone.“If Huxley’s story can give hope, guide a family, or even help a child survive one more day, then his journey will have had meaning,” Alisha says.

Huxley’s life was far too short, but the love, laughter, and memories he left behind continue to live on in the hearts of his parents.
Every day, they speak of him, remember his smile, his little giggles, and the moments of pure joy only he could bring.
They have learned to turn their grief into strength, transforming Huxley’s story into a beacon of hope for other families.
Though he is gone, Huxley’s spirit continues to shine.
He is a little angel who will forever be part of every heart he touched.