A SIX-year-old boy battling an aggressive form of leukaemia has wowed teachers following his long-awaited return to school.
The Mail revealed last month how Jacob Salmon, from east Hull, suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a rapidly progressive cancer.
He has endured endless bouts of chemotherapy and surgery, and continues to take steroids.
But despite being in almost constant pain, Jacob has rarely complained and, after months of intensive treatment, finally returned to his studies at Ings Primary School last week.
And Jacob's mum, Joanne Salmon, says teachers have been astounded by his intelligence and maturity for someone of such a young age.
Miss Salmon, 43, said: "Jacob has done great and I am so proud of him.
"He is definitely a long way behind everyone else but, in some respects, he is ahead of the others.
"When you are battling an illness like cancer you have no choice but to grow up very fast.
"Teachers have been very impressed with him – even though he is only in school for three hours a day.
"Every time I drop him off I am so nervous. I have even joined a gym to take my mind off worrying when he is at school.
"The fact is, if Jacob picks up an illness from another child it could kill him.
"It is frightening, but his education is also very important for when we beat this illness."
Jacob, who told the Mail last month how he planned to "kick cancer's butt", was diagnosed with the cancer in November last year.
Since the cancer was discovered, Jacob has had more than 500 hospital procedures, including chemotherapy, lumbar punctures and blood transfusions.
He was diagnosed after he complained of stiff legs and chapped lips.
A series of intensive treatments has led to Jacob losing his hair five times.
For the meantime, however, high on the little fighter's agenda is homework – and lots of it.
Miss Salmon said: "Jacob has received quite a bit of homework in his first week and he is not impressed.
"He should be in Year 2 but is still doing a lot of Year 1 work at the moment.
"The school has been absolutely fantastic and sent out letters to every parent asking their children to stay at home if they had a serious illness, because of Jacob's condition.
"He makes me laugh when he comes home from school because I ask him all about his day, but he is a typical boy.
"He shrugs his shoulders and it doesn't bother him. He takes everything in his stride, which is incredible for someone of his age.
"I wish I was as strong as him and not the nervous wreck I am every day."
Jacob faces at least three more years of treatment to defeat the disease completely.
Miss Salmon said: "Jacob's body has been struggling to take the huge amounts of steroids in recent weeks and that puts all his treatment back.
"But we will get through this. We have a very long road ahead of us, but losing is not an option.
"We cannot give up after coming this far. We will win."
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
• Health news for Hull and East Yorkshire
