Damien Flakemore battling cancer after shock diagnosis

Hip pain and a loss of appetite has turned into an emergency flight to Melbourne and a long battle ahead for a “very sweet, caring” Tasmanian boy. HIS BRAVE FIGHT>>>

Hip pain and a loss of appetite has turned into an emergency flight to Melbourne and a long battle ahead for a “very sweet, caring” Tasmanian boy.

Damien Flakemore suffered from irritable hip, a condition not uncommon in children, twelve months ago which resolved on its own.

In mid April he began having hip pain again, though this time it gradually got worse and numerous tests couldn’t determine the problem.

Damien Flakemore with his sister Ellie.

Damien, 6, was taken by his mother Lauren to Royal Hobart Hospital for an MRI, and in less than 24 hours they were flown to Melbourne via air ambulance after it was discovered he had a tumor.

Further tests in Melbourne came back with difficult news for the youngster, with the tumor diagnosed as Neuroblastoma Cancer.

Damien, Lauren, father Brad and sister Ellie will now be in Melbourne for 18 months to help him beat the disease.

“Damien’s already started chemo, so they’re getting into it straight away,” Damien’s aunt Rebecca Flakemore said.

“The doctors were very thorough and very quick and everyone has been really lovely.

“We were getting our heads around them being there for six months, but now it’s 18. They’ll have to relocate to Melbourne, so they’ll pack up their house. They’re quite upset. We all are.”

Damien Flakemore in hospital.

Damien will celebrate his 7th birthday in hospital next month as he prepares for a long road ahead of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

His proud aunty said the Glen Huon Primary School student had been a pillar of strength since he first started experiencing pain.

“He’s giving high fives and thumbs up to the doctors and nurses as he goes off for tests,” she said.

“He understands he is sick but he doesn’t understand the time frame.

“He’s doing really well and being really brave. He wants to come home and that’s what we want as well, but he needs to be there to get the best treatment he can.”

Damien loves school, particularly maths, and his teachers have planned to send him a care package with maths puzzles to keep his mind busy in hospital.

Damien Flakemore with his mum Lauren, father Brad and sister Ellie.

“He’s just a very sweet, caring little boy,” Miss Flakemore said.

“Damien’s the oldest of six younger cousins and he’s always taking care of them. We just want him to get better.”

Miss Flakemore has established a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the family and their ongoing travel and accommodation expenses.

“They only flew over with the clothes they had on,” she said.

“There’s been overwhelming support from the community. We’ve got over $5000 worth of prizes for a raffle as well that we’re just selling tickets for at the moment.”