Boy's tumour spotted after fall

James had surgery on Christmas Day (Picture courtesy of The Argus)

A fall from a step ladder may have saved the life of East Sussex schoolboy James Welsh.

The seven-year-old was searching for toys in the attic when he fell from the ladder a few days before Christmas.

His mum Lisa brought him to the local hospital for a check-up, where doctors spotted a brain tumour and rushed James into surgery to remove the growth.

"If he hadn't had that fall I don't know what would have happened," Lisa told local newspaper The Argus.

'Worst nightmare'

Doctors at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton spotted signs of a tumour when they examined James's eyes.

A MRI scan at King's College Hospital in London confirmed everybody's worst fears.

If he hadn't had that fall I don't know what would have happened Lisa Welsh

"It's every mother's worst nightmare," said Lisa.

James, who lives in Peacehaven, was kept in hospital and went into surgery at 08.30 on Christmas Day.

"He was crying and I really wanted to take him home. He wanted to go home to be with his sisters," his mum said.

The surgery was a success. However, James and his family are still waiting for the results of tests to show whether the tumour was cancerous and whether there is a chance it may return.

"The doctors managed to take the tumour completely away," his uncle Darren Todd told BBC News Online.

"We are still waiting for results to see if it was cancerous but James is doing fine."

The six hour's James spent in surgery was an anxious time for Lisa and the rest of the family. They were relieved when it was over.

"When he came out the surgeon said to me it went really well.

He did say James could lose his speech and movement in his arms and legs. They also said that he could die during the operation.

"When he came round, the first thing he said was 'Mum' and I knew then that it was going to be ok.

"I asked what would have happened if I had taken James home. They said 'you would have had a dead son in the morning'."

James was allowed to go home on New Year's Eve.

His family are planning to re-create Christmas for James when he is feeling up to it.

"We are going to see if we can do another Christmas dinner for the immediate family," his uncle Darren said.