Brave four-year-old whose cancer battle left him too weak to walk is back on his feet

The parents of a boy whose battle with cancer left him too weak to walk have spoken of their relief to see him back on his feet and “full of beans” again after successful treatment.
Logan holds the Cancer Research UK star award with twin brother JudeLogan holds the Cancer Research UK star award with twin brother Jude
Logan holds the Cancer Research UK star award with twin brother Jude

Logan Carr, four, needed a wheelchair to get around in December last year after chemotherapy treatment for an aggressive cancer left him too weak to walk.

Now after months of treatment Logan has got his strength back – and has scaled to the top of an indoor climbing wall.

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His parents, Danielle and Andrew said the family was devastated when Logan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, on June 28 last year.

Twins Logan and Jude Carr at Christmas last year.Twins Logan and Jude Carr at Christmas last year.
Twins Logan and Jude Carr at Christmas last year.

By his third birthday Logan’s hair had fallen out and he was in a wheelchair with the side effects of the intense treatment needed to kill the fast-growing cancer.

But they said thanks to the support from his brothers the youngster has bravely overcome his battle with the disease.

Logan is in remission following treatment and has been chosen with his twin brother Jude to help launch an awards scheme in Scotland that recognises the courage of children and young people with cancer.

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Mum Danielle said: “Cancer completely knocked Logan off his feet and he couldn’t walk for the first six months after diagnosis. Watching his face light up as he takes on a climbing wall now makes my heart melt. I realise how far he’s come.

Logan recovering after treatment for cancerLogan recovering after treatment for cancer
Logan recovering after treatment for cancer

"It is your worst nightmare to hear your child has cancer. It feels overwhelming but Logan is an inspiration. I’m proud of how calm he has been since day one. He’s amazing.

“There was a lovely picture in the hospital ward which struck a chord with me in the early days. We have the same one on the wall at home. It said, ‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.’ That’s what our boys have helped us all do.”

The 40-year-old, who owns two hair salons in Edinburgh, said they noticed something was not right with Logan's health in May last year.

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They took him to the GP after he developed a severe sore throat, bruises on his body and was overly exhausted, while his twin Jude was full of energy.

Mum Danielle with Logan when he was recovering from cancerMum Danielle with Logan when he was recovering from cancer
Mum Danielle with Logan when he was recovering from cancer

Danielle said: “Jude was always on the go and running everywhere while Logan would put his arms out to me and ask to be picked up all the time.

“There were dark circles under Logan’s eyes and I just knew he wasn’t right. Logan was quite sensible and cautious while Jude was more energetic. It didn’t make sense to me that it was Logan who had the bruises. When I started googling things, the phrase ‘blood disorder’ came up so I wasn’t that surprised when we were sent to hospital for blood tests and just hours later there it was, suspected leukaemia. It was quick.”

The family was due to go on holiday to Legoland, but instead the summer marked the start of 12 weeks of intensive treatment at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Danielle said: “It makes me emotional just thinking about it. I didn’t sleep for days after Logan was diagnosed. The first six weeks of treatment were hardest.”

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Dad Andrew, 41, gave up his cafe in Oxgangs to be there for Logan through frequent hospital visits. He said it’s been hard to see his son feel frightened but care from doctors at the Sick Kids and his brothers, Jack, 18, Lee, 17, Lewis, six, and Jude, four have kept Logan going.

He said: “It’s surreal, at times you get on with life and then you remember your son is fighting cancer, and it floods over you.”

“It’s a long road for him. He does get upset when he’s unwell now. I can see in his face he’s scared when he goes to hospital, maybe he can see it in our faces that we are worried. I remember what he was like at first in hospital. He was really out of sorts.

"But when he saw his brothers for the first time his face broke into a big smile, it was the first time he had smiled really since going in. They have been such a big part of his recovery. It still all goes over my head sometimes, it’s hard to take in. He’s doing well now, he’s so full of beans again! It’s so good to see him like that.”

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Now Logan is on maintenance chemotherapy to keep the leukaemia in remission. He learned to walk again with help from physiotherapists and his confidence and strength have come back too. He will start school next August after completing three years of treatment in June 2022. Andrew said the family feel hopeful about the future.

“Last year was a bit of a blur, Logan was finally well enough to get out of hospital later on Christmas Day. This year we will all be able to spend Christmas together, and Logan can’t wait. The boys are all so excited, I think they’re ready to burst.”

The Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, supported by TK Maxx, are open to all under-18s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years. Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by famous faces including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Nanny McPhee actress Dame Emma Thompson, This Morning’s Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

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