Dad thought his daughter faked vomiting at school for a day off — then she vomited 16 more times and an MRI left him filled with guilt
It's not uncommon for parents to doubt their kids when they say they are sick. For one father, a similar thought about his unwell daughter later left him filled with regret. On September 26, 2025, a 36-year-old dad Conal Butler received a call from his daughter Millie’s school saying she had been sick. As per The Sun, the 11-year-old had earlier complained of headaches and nausea. Conal admitted he initially believed it was nothing serious and assumed she might just want time off. Over the next two days, however, Millie vomited up to 16 times, and her condition did not improve. An MRI scan soon revealed a serious problem, leaving Conal overwhelmed with guilt for ever doubting her. What followed forced the family into a frightening medical journey no parent expects.
Millie’s condition worsened quickly. After that first call, she began vomiting repeatedly, up to 16 times a day, in the days that followed. Conal recalled, “I thought, ah, you’ll be fine. I was thinking she wanted a day off school, which I feel terrible about now.” Concern grew when Millie said she could not see out of her peripheral vision during a short walk near their home in Cobham, Surrey. Conal immediately called emergency services. Although initial tests appeared normal, he insisted she be taken to the hospital. At St Peter’s Hospital in Chelsea, doctors first suspected stress or anxiety. An MRI scan the following day, however, revealed a large bleed on her brain and a possible tumor hidden behind it.
Doctors explained they needed to wait several weeks for the blood to be reabsorbed before they could clearly identify what was causing the bleed. Millie was discharged but soon suffered another severe vomiting episode and was rushed back to the hospital, where her condition was confirmed as a rare brain tumor. She was transferred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, where surgeons operated on October 22 to remove a 50mm growth. A biopsy confirmed she had a rare and aggressive cancer known as primary intracranial sarcoma, DICER1-mutant, a condition that makes up only 0.02 per cent of brain tumors in children. Conal described the moment doctors confirmed the diagnosis as overwhelming. “It was the worst news any parent can get, I suppose,” he told the outlet. Specialists from several countries reviewed her case due to its rarity.
Millie began intensive chemotherapy and proton beam therapy as part of her treatment plan. Conal became her full-time carer and spoke with pride about her strength. He said, “All my strength comes from her. Millie’s been amazing.” Despite everything, Millie remained hopeful and kind. She even agreed to donate extra bone marrow and blood for research to help other children in the future. After two rounds of chemotherapy, scans showed the tumor had shrunk to the point where it was no longer visible, removing the need for more surgery. Her grandparents have since started fundraising to celebrate the end of her treatment and to visit her friend in New Zealand. Through it all, Conal has remained focused on supporting his daughter, calling the situation unfair but praising her courage every step of the way.
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