When little Albie Duguid's mother noticed her baby staring intently at the ceiling with an unusually fixed gaze, her maternal instincts screamed that something was wrong. Yet time and again, medical professionals reassured her it was completely normal infant behaviour.
It took eight agonising months of persistent concerns and multiple medical consultations before doctors finally discovered the horrifying truth: Albie had a life-threatening brain tumour growing behind his eyes.
The Mother Who Wouldn't Be Dismissed
Sarah Duguid, Albie's determined mother from Wetherby, first became concerned when her son developed what she described as a "zombie-like" stare. "He would just fix his gaze on one spot and wouldn't snap out of it," she recalled. "It was unlike normal baby behaviour."
Despite her repeated visits to doctors and health visitors, medical professionals consistently dismissed her worries. "They told me all babies are different," Sarah explained. "Some said he was just tired, others that he was developing normally."
The Turning Point That Saved His Life
The breakthrough came during a routine eye test when Albie was eight months old. The optician immediately detected swelling behind his eyes and referred him to hospital for urgent tests.
What followed was every parent's worst nightmare. Scans revealed a large tumour growing on Albie's brain stem - a pilocytic astrocytoma that required immediate surgery.
Fighting Against the Odds
Albie underwent a gruelling nine-hour operation to remove the tumour, followed by months of chemotherapy. The treatment took a devastating toll on the tiny patient, leaving him unable to eat, drink, or sit up independently.
"We almost lost him several times," Sarah shared emotionally. "The chemotherapy was brutal, and he developed infections that nearly killed him."
A Mother's Message to Other Parents
Now, as Albie continues his recovery journey, his family wants to raise awareness about the importance of trusting parental instincts. "If you think something's wrong with your child, keep pushing," Sarah urges. "Don't let professionals fob you off."
The family is also fundraising for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Brain Tumour Research, determined to help other families avoid their traumatic experience.
Albie's story serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, a mother's intuition knows best - even when medical experts disagree.
