Childhood Cancer

Cancer is not a word anyone likes to hear.

It is the catastrophe of the modern day. We spend our lives hearing and listening to stories we only dread to think of. Our lives have someone we know a lot, or very little, that can be affected by cancer.

I was that person to a lot of people.

When I was just two years old I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a cancer that is notorious for its death rate. In many cases it has become immune to some peoples treatment to try and eradicate it from their body.

Cancer as a whole does not care. It is a disease that has one objective. To kill you.

My cancer was a late diagnosis, because my local hospital did not know anything about it. It took over a month of my stomach swelling to the size of a watermelon to be transferred to a London based hospital to be diagnosed.

I was transferred on blue lights (in a ambulance) to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to start immediate treatment.

Most people assume that cancer treatment is quick and easy, with no side-affects or complications. They are wrong.

My treatment involved Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Stem Cell Replacement, Cis Retinoc Acid and surgery. Each medication had a complication or side-affect that came with it. Chemo had mouth sores and loss of hair, Radiotherapy had the addition of me being sedated to stay still, and surgery left a wide scar covering my entire stomach.

Now after thirteen years of remission, and no relapse, the side-affects now are still happening. It is not a quick process to be diagnosed with new side-affects, that is far from the truth. During treatment I had a hearing test and was instantly diagnosed with Hearing Loss. The process is still happening today. Just four years ago I went through the menopause at the age of 12.

In some cases I am glad I am here today, being what is known as a 'beacon of hope' to those who do not have one. However, I struggle to stay positive all of the time when I keep getting the constant flow of new diagnoses. Compared to most I have had it easy, but that is because I was diagnosed when the new treatments were just starting to come out. Back then Doctors had no idea what the side-affects were, all they knew was that it killed the cancer (in some cases). I was lucky and they managed to eradicate the cancer completely.

However, in this day and age there is not much talk happening about childhood cancers, if anything there is no talk. I have no idea why though. If you can confidently talk about testicular or breast cancer, surely childhood cancer is no difference?

Maybe there is a trigger factor when someone mentions 'a child has cancer'? I can understand it is a sore subject, but it is happening all of the time. It is not like the solar eclipse. It does not pick one child every one hundred years. So many children get diagnosed every year and it affects them and their family hugely.

Firstly, you have the friend and family affect. If a child is diagnosed with cancer it instantly breaks a family. It tears everything that was normal and fine into chaos. Families will have to juggle jobs and bills, whilst remaining positive when friends and family visit. Even in some cases people dissociate with the family who's child has cancer, just for the fact they cannot process it.

I have something to say to people who leave people who have been affected by cancer. If you dissociate yourself from someone who has/had cancer just because, you are a terrible person. It was not their choice to have cancer, or be in that particular situation. So why would you behave in such a manner?

I speak personally from having cancer, that I have lost many friends due to the reason above. Believe it or not but I have been bullied because of having cancer.

Now people themselves are confusing, I have had sixteen years of experience and I still do not understand mankind. However, I have met some decent people. People who care and support me for who I am. Cancer included. Therefore, it may feel like the end of the world when your friend/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/aunt/uncle/whoever left you, but there are people in this world who will love you for you.

Secondly, there is the medication intake. Medication does not stop at the end of treatment, if anything that was the beginning of what is to come. I have to take a regular amount of medication everyday for multiple issues. Some range from menopause to acid re-flux. Charming, but true. Over time you learn to bear with the issues and live your life according to medication and body limitations. God knows I have. If you are just starting your journey into taking new medication, welcome. There are many of us here at this club, but believe me when I say this whatever you take medication for it is not embarrassing. I thought medication for the menopause and infertility was horrendously embarrassing, but it was not. It turns out many people are in the same boat and can support you.

Lastly, limitation time. Limitations are what I am not good at controlling. In fact I cannot control any of my limitations. From mental intelligence, infertility and muscle pain to tachycardia these are out of my control. There is no way to control them except to take things easy and no overdo any activities. I remember when I was told I could never 'technically' have my own biological children, I was traumatised. I thought for a long time that people would not have a relationship with me because of said issue.

However, if someone is that shallow and bitter that they do not want to be with you because of infertility, let them go. They do not deserve you. There is another person out there who will accept for who you are. Quirks and all.

I know my life will probably be chaotic, I have notice that somewhat over the sixteen years I have been alive. Therefore, I am going to test boundaries and limits, because why not? I have on life to live, and I will live it how I please. Because no one else will live it for me.

Join me in raising awareness for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and all of the children who are still fighting.

Molly-Tastic Treves