A BOY of nine is battling back to health after travelling thousands of miles for treatment to remove a brain tumour.

Edward Norman was diagnosed last year after developing sight problems which were picked up by his optician.

The tumour was found to be growing on his optic nerve and Edward, from Seaford, needed an urgent operation to remove it.

However surgeons could not get it all out without risking Edward’s sight.

His parents Jenny and Adrian, 43, were then told the youngster’s best option was proton therapy rather than standard radiotherapy.

Although the tumour was not cancerous, he still needed the same type of treatment as someone with cancer.

However the treatment is not widely available in the UK and Edward had to travel to Oklahoma in the US.

An NHS panel agreed to fund the treatment and the family went to the US earlier this year for six weeks.

Mrs Norman, 40, said the whole family were grateful and happy for all the help and support they had received from NHS hospitals and staff, medics in the US and friends at Edward’s school and in the community.

They are now helping raise awareness of brain tumours and the importance of supporting research into their causes and treatment.

Mrs Norton, who also has a younger son Rupert, five, said the family were determined to make the US trip an adventure for the boys.

She said: “Why we were going was horrible and every parent’s worst nightmare but we were going to make it an experience the boys would enjoy.

“Edward had treatment every week day and he suffered a few headaches after the first few sessions, but after that he was OK.”

The family flew home in March following a special 'graduation ceremony' at the end of his treatment.

He is now doing well although his pituitary gland has been affected by the tumour and he needs to take medicine to replace what his body is not producing.

He will also need scans and eye tests every three months and will continue to be closely monitored but Edward has now returned to school and is doing well.

Mrs Norton said: “It breaks your heart as a mother to see your child having to go through this. You cannot change it or make it better. We have wept many tears and still do.

“You never think something like this will happen to you, but it can and it comes straight out of the blue and knocks you sideways.

“I believe brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer in children and the under 40's.

“More funding is needed to research these cancers as only a small proportion of the budget goes into this.”