TODDLER Sebastian Stevens is recovering after receiving pioneering treatment for a rare cancer and was recently well enough to celebrate his second birthday. His mother Natasha explains how the family have coped. Siobhan Ryan reports.

UNLIKE most children his age, two of Sebastian’s Stevens’ main birthday gifts were a special award for his bravery and a bumper cuddle from his parents.

In February the youngster became one of the first children in Britain to receive pioneering treatment for a very rare bladder cancer.

However it meant that while he underwent the treatment, mum Natasha and dad Luke were not able to pick him up or cuddle him.

Natasha, from Burgess Hill, said: “It was probably the hardest three days of my life.

“We are so proud of him.

“It was very difficult for him. He desperately wanted ‘mummy cuddles’ but while he was being treated, he had a brace from his chest to his knees and he had been given radioactive material, so we couldn’t pick him up, which was awful.

“However, we had no choice in the matter and I just kept reminding myself it was just temporary.”

Now Sebastian has had his courage recognised with a Kids and Teens Star award from Cancer Research UK in partnership with TK Maxx.

His treatment has gone well and he is now back home recovering.

The first signs of Sebastian’s illness emerged last August when he began to pass blood in his urine and was clearly in great discomfort.

Natasha, 33, and Luke, 32, took him to hospital five times but were told he had an infection.

The family was due to go on holiday and they were assured it was fine to go.

However, while in Spain, Sebastian was constantly straining and getting increasingly distressed, unable to eat, drink or sleep.

After a few worrying days, Natasha and Luke flew home and went straight to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton where Sebastian underwent tests and an ultrasound scan.

Natasha said: “We knew immediately something was wrong when we saw the mass in his bladder. We just cried and cried. "I thought we were going to lose our beautiful baby boy.

“We were told Sebastian had a growth in his bladder which they believed was cancer. I screamed and just sat there sobbing. The consultant talked to us but I was numb. I just held him and wouldn't let anyone touch him. I wanted to protect our little innocent boy who was suffering so badly

“It was a terrible shock. Nobody expects to be told their 18-month-old child has cancer. This was also a really rare cancer, which is probably why it was so hard to pick up.”

Only six children are diagnosed with carcinoma of the bladder in Britain every year.

The family was transferred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting where an operation confirmed the 5.6cm tumour on his bladder.

However the good news was that the cancer had not spread.

In October Sebastian began the first of nine rounds of chemotherapy which he will finish in middle of this summer.

During his first cycle of chemotherapy his hair started to fall out.

Natasha said: “Sebastian got so stressed with it falling in his face that when he was asleep I sat and brushed all his hair out with my fingers.

“It took about two hours but chunks were just coming out in my hand. People had warned me about it but I was still shocked. It was the most bizarre thing I have ever done.”

In January, Sebastian had surgery to remove the tumour and a third of his bladder taken away.

The family were then offered a type of radiotherapy called brachytherapy treatment and decided it was the best option for him.

Brachytherapy involves inserting radioactive material directly into the affected area.

A high dose of radiation is given to the tumour, but it is less likely to damage healthy tissue.

The treatment is used to treat other types of cancer but had not been tested in children with bladder cancer.

During the treatment, Sebastian couldn’t move for hours at a time but was able to watch cartoons of Peppa Pig and Mickey Mouse which were projected on to the ceiling.

Natasha and Luke have both taken leave from their jobs in a secure children’s home to be with Sebastian through his treatment.

Natasha said: “However hard it was, I’m glad the treatment was available as it will help save his bladder and allow him to have children in the future.

“Years ago, it would have been a very different story. Treatments are improving all the time because of the all the research that goes on, unseen, every day.”

Emma Smith, senior science communications officer for Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s very rare for children as young as Sebastian to get bladder cancer.

“His doctors offered this internal radiation, called brachytherapy, because they hope it might have fewer side effects for him.

“It’s thanks to decades of research into radiotherapy and different ways to deliver it to patients, that this was an option for him.”

The charity’s awards acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters affected by cancer.

Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by celebrities including England captain Wayne Rooney and singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé.

Sebastian’s family plan to keep the main celebration until he has finished his treatment but in the meantime, he loves his star award.

Natasha said: “He holds it up and sings twinkle, twinkle little star. I’m sure it will be something he will be proud of in the future and take to show and tell at school.”

A Cancer Research UK spokeswoman said: “Cancer has a devastating impact on children, forcing them to show an incredible bravery beyond their years.

“It’s a privilege to be able to recognise the courage of youngsters like Sebastian who is a proper little star and richly deserves this accolade.”

Sebastian also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by celebrities including Strictly Come Dancing stars Kevin and Karen Clifton, children’s TV presenters Justin Fletcher and Mister Maker and kids’ TV pop group Go!Go!Go!

Last year the charity spent nearly £2 million on laboratory and clinical research in Brighton.