A mum has told of how a gut feeling led her to discover the tiredness and grumpiness of her son after school was in fact something far more serious.
Eight-year-old Mason MacKenzie would routinely feel exhausted but it was only when Carly, 27, took him to the hospital that something shocking was found
Mum Carly, a domestic abuse practitioner from East Lothian, Scotland, went with Mason to the opticians for his yearly eye test.
There she told the practice that her son had been suffering from minor headaches, as well as feeling tired and grumpy at the end of the day and it was then suggested that she should take Mason to the GP.
But following a gut feeling Carly took Mason to the hospital instead where an MRI scan revealed a shocking discovery.
Mason MacKenzie with mum Carly MacKenzie. Carly, a domestic abuse practitioner from East Lothian, Scotland, went with Mason to the opticians for his yearly eye test
Mason MacKenzie before cancer. Carly flagged to the optician that her son had been suffering from minor headaches, as well as feeling tired and grumpy at the end of the day
Just two days after the scan, it was found that Mason had an early-stage, cancerous tumour on the left-hand side of his brain - about the size of a grape.
Thankfully, Masons prognosis is good, as doctors managed to remove it early but they say theyd be telling a very different story if it werent for the eye test.
Carly said: So many people have asked me about Masons first signs and symptoms - but the truth is, he didnt really have any.
Because we managed to catch it early, Mason was strong when he went into surgery and had his treatment.
But his doctors have said, if wed waited just a couple of weeks longer, wed be telling a very different story.
When Carly had taken Mason to the optician in January his test had come back normal.
The optician routinely asked if hed experienced any headaches, eye strain or dizziness.
Mason in hospital with his mum. It was when Carly decided to phone the GP for advice, that she was told maybe take him to hospital
Carly told Masons doctor about his headaches and tiredness at the end of the day and an MRI was suggested
Carly said: A brain tumour didnt cross my mind, I dont even know what I was thinking when reflecting on the news
Carly let her know that Mason had experienced some minor headaches - but due to his autism spectrum disorder (ASD), she believed sensory overload was the cause.
The mum added: She told us to maybe keep an eye on it.
I was told to flag it when I was next at the GP with Mason.
To be honest, he had all the checks at the opticians - he was all healthy, all fine.
Weeks later, however, Mason woke up with a really sore neck.
He complained to Carly about it, which raised alarm bells as she said he has a high pain tolerance.
Carly decided to phone the GP for advice, and was told to maybe take him to hospital.
Mason MacKenzie in hospital. Mason underwent the scan in March - and two days later, Carly received a call from Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and was told to come in straight away
On getting a phone call from the hospital, Carly said: We picked Mason up from school - and because of his ASD, he was upset that this wasnt part of the plan
Carly said: I cant lie to Mason and say hell never need treatment again, but its nice for him to be off now
She said: We went to A&E, and they gave him some ibuprofen.
They were just sending us on our way, when I thought Id mention the optician.
Carly told Masons doctor about his headaches and tiredness at the end of the day.
She emphasised she wasnt worried, thinking it was down to his ASD.
But the doctor ordered a child-friendly MRI, just to make sure.
Mason underwent the scan in March - and two days later, Carly received a call from Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and was told to come in straight away.
She said: A brain tumour didnt cross my mind, I dont even know what I was thinking.
I phoned my mum, Amanda, and said: "You need to come with us."
We picked Mason up from school - and because of his ASD, he was upset that this wasnt part of the plan.
Carly and her mum Amanda were told that Mason had a 3cm-by-2cm tumour on the left side of his brain
On March 20, 2024, doctors managed to successfully remove the entirety of Masons tumour - and eight days later, the family were told that it had been cancerous
To make things worse, we walked into the room and there were two strangers waiting for us.
Carly and Amanda were told that Mason had a 3cm-by-2cm tumour on the left side of his brain.
The only realistic way to biopsy it would be to do it at the same time as the removal surgery.
On March 20, 2024, doctors managed to successfully remove the entirety of Masons tumour - and eight days later, the family were told that it had been cancerous.
Mason awoke the day after surgery, Carly said.
He was really struggling for the first two days, but on day three, he took a huge turn for the better.
By day five, we were discharged - after they predicted hed need to be in for around two months.
Carly said: He was really struggling for the first two days, but on day three, he took a huge turn for the better
Mason has received six rounds of three types of chemotherapy, across six months - which he completed in October
Mason will be treatment-free and in remission over Christmas - but Carly has to keep a cautious eye on any signs of relapse
Mason has received six rounds of three types of chemotherapy, across six months - which he completed in October.
Hell be treatment-free and in remission over Christmas - but Carly has to keep a cautious eye on any signs of relapse.
She said: Hell be off treatment in November and December - then another scan after Christmas, to see if theres another growth.
I cant lie to Mason and say hell never need treatment again, but its nice for him to be off now.
I dont like to say hes cancer-free, but were seeing how this bit goes.
During our end-of-treatment meeting, Masons oncologist said his opticians appointment saved his life.