Leo Joseph Fredcenzo Hambly

What can we say about Little Man? It's hard to find the words.

Leo was a blessing. Little Man was a radiant soul whose brief time with us illuminated our lives in ways words can scarcely capture. In his short two years, he embodied an extraordinary blend of humour, intelligence, and boundless joy. His story is a poignant reminder of both the fragility of life and the profound impact one small person can have on the hearts of those around him.

From the very start, it was clear that Leo was a unique and special child. His bright blue eyes, infectious giggle, and curious nature quickly endeared him to everyone he met. He simply wanted to know how everything worked! He was so intelligent often doing a lot of things without being taught how to do it, he just knew. We often said "he's been here before", an opinion that never wavered as he grew.

He was so smart, however, he had his moments of licking the living room window and running around without a stitch on. But that was Leo. He was so funny and we couldn't wait to see how his personality would grow. His days were filled with laughter and exploration. He had a remarkable ability to find joy in the simplest things—a leaf falling from a tree and collecting sticks, the sound of birds chirping, or the playful antics of his beloved stuffed animals; especially his Bluey toy. Leo’s sense of humour was particularly striking; he had a way of making even the dullest moments sparkle with his infectious laughter and the 'side-eye' look he would give. You couldn't help but laugh at him.

His most favourite things were, waving at everyone and smiling and he loved to share, especially his food. He would often run up with something in his hand, saying "nomnomnom" and want us to share his crisps, biscuits or choccy buttons. He was just so loving and caring.

He was Bluey obsessed and loved his big stuffed Bluey toy, it went everywhere with him. Another favourite of Leo's was the Disney Pixar's movie 'Cars' often wanting "Mcqueen"! and would happily sit and watch the whole film.

Fifi, our cat, was his whole world. They were best friends and she still sleeps in his room, on his bed to this day, watching over our baby.

Leo's passing was tragic, and for a lot of people its a trauma that we will probably never get over.

How can you spend Christmas together as a family and then not long into the New Year be told your child is dying from a Brain Tumour. It's unfathomable, something so rare, but happened to us.

Leo wasn't poorly for long. At all. He was happily running around excited for Christmas and Santa coming with his toys. He visited Santa and posed for pictures with him. Even play fighting with him and chasing him around the living room. One doctors visit later and we get rushed to hospital where a CT scan reveals Leo had a brain tumour. We then had to be transferred to the RVI, Newcastle to be treated and put into a medically induced coma. He had a drain fitted into his skull for the build up of fluid on his brain. He then had surgery for a biopsy when an MRI showed that the cancer had already spread to other parts of his brain and down his spine.

Within 4 days Leo's health had declined. The tumour grew again and was now pushing his brain onto his spinal cord. Nothing more could be done for him, and he was placed onto End of Life Care and all monitoring stopped.

Leo was expected to pass away within a few hours that day. But Little Man fought on and he gave us 58 more hours with him, before his Daddy and I felt his heart stop beating at 7:22am, on 21st January 2024.

The news came as a devastating shock to us and those who loved him. Leo’s condition progressed rapidly. Within just six days of diagnosis, this aggressive form of cancer took him from us.

Leo was too young for Radiotherapy/Proton therapy and Chemotherapy was just too futile- it would have killed him faster.

Leo died from Group 3 MYC Positive Medulloblastoma, the very worst of this kind of tumour. The biopsy revealed the tumour was roughly 3 months old. When the signs and symptoms start, it is already too late.

Our Little Man stood no chance.

His memory lives on in the stories shared by those who knew him and in the hearts of us, his family, who continue to cherish the moments they had with him.

Leo’s Legacy is one of love, laughter, and an enduring spirit that reminds us to find joy in the little things and to appreciate each moment we have. His life, though short, was a testament to the beauty and wonder of living fully and loving deeply.

His daddy and I are setting up Leo's Legacy to spread awareness of brain tumours in Toddlers and children. They are rare, but they still happen. We are doing this to tell Leo's journey and help prevent another family ever having to go through what we are.

https://www.leoslegacy.co.uk