Kashray Michelle's smile has returned in time for Christmas after he spent a year battling leukaemia.
In November last year, the six-year-old Outram School pupil was diagnosed with cancer after weeks of a bloated tummy, gushing nose bleeds and lethargy.
A year on, his mother, Donna Brook, with eyes full of tears, recalls the day of his diagnosis.
''We were at the hospital. Kash was actually a lot stronger than I was. I burst into tears and Kash just grabbed my hand and said 'it's OK, Mum'.''
However, the treatment that followed, including the annihilation of his immune system in preparation for chemotherapy, and more than 400 procedures, was at times far from OK.
While every procedure was ''different'' and it was ''pretty hard to remember them'', memories of missing Christmas at home and being away from his friends for most of the school year were still fresh in Kashray's mind.
''I had to leave my friends and I couldn't play games with them.''
Kashray's diagnosis on November 13 was made all the more difficult because it was close to Christmas, Ms Brook said.
''We had a very sick wee man and Christmas didn't exist back then ...
''He got a new bike for Christmas last year but he was devastated because he couldn't even ride his bike. He went into a shell and the grumpy Kash came out and that was really devastating, especially at Christmas.''
The family spent Christmas Day in Ronald McDonald house, where a visit from Santa made Kashray smile for the first time in weeks despite him having had treatment that morning.
But the day was ''ruined'' for Kashray's nana, Dulcie Brook.
''I just had no inclination to celebrate because I was getting sent all these photos of him in hospital in Christchurch with all these tubes. I cried a lot of tears. It wasn't a good Christmas at all.''
In late January, Kashray was released from Christchurch Hospital. However, he did not return to school until the end of term three because his immune system was too compromised until then.
While he still had leukaemia, and would require monthly treatment at Dunedin Hospital until March 2019, her son's energy and ''generous nature'' had returned in full force for the time being, Ms Brook said.
This Christmas, Kashray was hoping Santa would bring a remote-control boat and digger.
He would also have ''more than enough'' energy to use the bike he was given last Christmas, Ms Brook said.
