After months of hard work restricting their son's diet and seeking the best treatment to tackle his rare illness, James Haddad's parents face an anxious wait to see what impact their efforts and those of the doctors have had on his condition.

James will have his latest MRI brain scan at the Royal Marsden Hospital this week to assess the progress of his current treatment, six months after the diagnosis that he had a rare brain condition.

James's parents Robert and Sue have been at their son's side throughout his treatment, which started with a six-week course of radiotherapy and sees James take a daily cocktail of medicine and vitamins in over 30 tablets.

The Haddads recently celebrated James' ninth birthday but the check up and brain scan is a reminder of the severity of his condition.

Robert said: "The last MRI result was encouraging but these matters are a slow process requiring nerves of steel. Statistically, the news may appear bleak but with the efforts we have made, we are hoping this scan will bring better news."

This optimism contrasts their initial feeling when consultants explained James' condition and the limited avenues of NHS treatment.

Faced with tragedy, Robert and friends spent hundreds of hours researching on the internet and found some treatment that UK consultants had not, or were not, able to prescribe.

They managed to convince doctors to test a pioneering new drug and this latest scan will provide the first real indicator of its effectiveness.

The possible need for treatment abroad prompted the launch of the James Haddad Appeal Fund which currently stands at over £14,000 and they will take James to the US at their own expense if his condition is not improving.

But Robert feels this should not be necessary when a young life is at stake. He said: "It's almost as if the NHS has failed us. Even with the progress James has made, going to the States seems inevitable. Why are pioneering American treatments not available to those desperately in need of it here? It all boils down to money."

July 10, 2002 11:00