A distressed mother recently shared her upsetting experience where doctors initially suggested giving her eight-year-old son Gaviscon for his back pain, which later turned out to be cancer. Ffion Smith recounted the events that unfolded when her son, Ruben Troy, began complaining of sharp pains in April 2026, initially attributing them to his active play habits. However, the situation took a dire turn when Ruben collapsed while playing at a friend’s house a week later, writhing in agony on the floor.
Following a visit to an urgent care center prompted by a call to 111, Ffion claimed that doctors dismissed her concerns, attributing the symptoms to a common sickness bug that would resolve on its own. Despite multiple visits to healthcare professionals, the advice remained the same – give Ruben Gaviscon for what they believed was gastritis due to dietary issues, even though Ruben did not consume coffee.
In addition to the pain, Ruben displayed concerning symptoms such as paleness, bruises, weight loss, and difficulty walking. After persistent efforts by Ffion, blood tests conducted on June 29 revealed that Ruben was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow.
Ruben is currently recuperating at home post two rounds of chemotherapy and lumbar puncture surgery. Ffion expressed frustration and anger at the initial misdiagnosis, emphasizing the importance of parents advocating for their children’s health. She highlighted the need for vigilance and proactive communication with healthcare providers, urging parents to trust their instincts if they suspect something is amiss with their child.
To support Ruben’s ongoing treatment, Ffion has established a GoFundMe page to cover essential expenses. She hopes that sharing Ruben’s story will raise awareness among parents and prevent similar dismissals of children’s health concerns in the future. The family is determined to stay resilient throughout Ruben’s treatment journey, aiming for a positive outcome and a return to health for their son.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson from NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board expressed sympathy for Ruben and his family, refraining from commenting on individual cases while affirming their commitment to upholding quality care standards for residents in the region.