A CLYDEBANK family have been left devastated by the return of their son’s cancer.

Caleb Stirrat has kept smiling as he has been through more than a year of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and proton beam therapy in Florida.

The four-year-old was given a clean bill of health three months ago, but his latest MRI scan showed the aggressive cancer has returned – and this time doctors say there is nothing more they can do.

Caleb, from Parkhall, was taken to hospital on Sunday and kept in overnight after taking unwell. He returned home on Monday evening.

His parents, Karen and Andy, were too upset to speak about the cancer’s return. But through Karen’s aunt, Claire Smith, they wanted Post readers to know the latest - and express their gratitude for so much support in the past year.

A fundraiser has been created to help the family – including Caleb’s fellow triplets Alyssia and Poppy - make happy memories together in his remaining time. It has already raised more than £10,000.

On Wednesday the family decided Caleb will undergo surgery next week and then a new drug from Manchester.

“I can’t grasp this, it feels like it’s a bad dream,” Claire told the Post.

“There is another tumour, beside the one that was there before and measuring 3cm – the same size as last time they operated.

“There are also two shadows, one on the left and one above the big tumour. And another tumour in the brain stem.

“That is the worrying one as that area controls your heart rate and breathing.

Read more: Clydebank tot Caleb Stirrat battles back against cancer - but can’t go out to play

“The oncology team and surgeon have agreed there is nothing more they can do.

“They have given Caleb between four and 15 months, but due to how aggressive this is, they suspect an average of four months.

“The whole family are absolutely heartbroken.”

Claire said it was particularly hard seeing how well Caleb has looked in recent photos as the family stay in lockdown.

More than a year ago, Caleb was diagnosed with an ATRT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour), a fast-growing tumour of the brain and spinal cord.

The family travelled to Jacksonville, Florida, for months of proton beam treatment before returning for more chemo in Scotland.

Treatment finished last September and his scan was clear, as it was at Christmas and again months later.

We reported in April how Caleb was on the mend and gaining weight, but couldn’t understand why he was not allowed outside to play given his weakened immune system and the Covid-19 threat.

After a scan in mid-May, Caleb’s parents were called back to discuss the MRI. He had been complaining of headaches overnight and required IV paracetamol to help.

The family had hoped Caleb would be able to join his sisters at school.

Claire added: “When they got the call to go in they knew something was there but never expected this diagnosis. ATRT tumours recur in nine out of 10 cases and are usually more aggressive.

“Caleb’s has came back very aggressively.”