TODDLER Jay Hensby arrived in America this week to begin lifesaving treatment for a huge brain tumour, which was diagnosed just four weeks ago.

The 22-month-old had a 27-hour operation to remove the massive growth just hours after his family were given the shock news he had cancer.

Now he has been flown to Florida for pioneering proton treatment, similar to radiotherapy and costing £250,000, which will give him the best possible chance of beating the disease.

Jay lives in St Austell, with his parents Julie and Dave and siblings Toby, 12 and Chloe, five.

Julie, 30, flew to America with Jay on Sunday, while Dave, 35, has given up work to look after their other children.

Dave, 35, said: "We are shellshocked – roller coaster is not the word. I feel like I've been dropped out of a plane at 10,000ft and I've hit the ground.

"Just a few weeks ago we were a normal family. Within the space of 24 hours I was sat at the end of my son's bed before he was due in surgery, thinking these could be the last few minutes I spend with him."

Jay became ill at the same time Chloe caught a bug, and at first Julie and Dave thought he'd get better in a few days. But after numerous trips to the doctor, he was sent to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro where a brain scan revealed the severity of the situation.

"Within minutes we were in an air ambulance on the way to hospital in Bristol," said Dave. "First he had a drain on his brain to relieve the pressure and get rid of the fluid, then he had two operations.

"The world-leading surgeon in Jay's condition told us it was the largest, most complex tumour he'd had to work on – and Jay would have two weeks to live if he didn't operate.

"It was completely wrapped around his brain, but thankfully after 27 hours of surgery they think they've removed 99.9% of the tumour."

Jay's treatment is being funded by the NHS's National Commissioning Group for highly specialist services.

"It's only available in America and it costs a quarter of a million pounds, which miraculously has been funded," said Dave. "We still have to find all our living expenses, and I've had to stop working to look after the other children. We're really struggling, but people have been wonderful.

"Doctors told us Jay has had the best surgery possible, now he's having the best treatment possible. For us, it's a waiting game but we're determined Jay will survive."

Pondhu Primary School, where Chloe is a pupil, has already started raising funds for the family.

A bingo night is being held at the school on March 24 at 7.30pm and £200 has already been donated from the sale of cakes at a school open afternoon.

Anyone who'd like to help the family can contact them at 12, Trenance Place, St Austell, PL25 5NS.