In February 2023 I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer in my knee. It is very hard to describe that moment when you are told. It is the very worst news.
Having been a keen swimmer for Chippenham ASC and just made county times with a chance to qualify for regional championships, the news came as a complete shock. I had some knee pain but just put it down to a minor swimming injury, the pain continued so I went to see a doctor and had some scans with the results leaving my parents totally devastated, they then had to break the news to me when I got home from school.
The first few weeks after my diagnosis it felt like I had appointments all the time, but I continued to go to sixth form as much as I could and my friends have been a huge support to me. I’ve had to put my passion for swimming on hold for the time being. I knew when I started chemo that it would be hard but I think I underestimated just how tough it would be. I am nauseous and tired all of the time from the chemo and have had treatment delays due to having sepsis.
The teenage ward at the Bristol Oncology Centre is a very friendly place and I am able to make my room feel more like home. There is also a chat room where I can chill with my friends and meet other patients who are going through similar treatments to me. All the nurses are lovely too and we are allowed to order takeaways so it makes the whole thing a little more enjoyable. It’s a great facility because it is a specialist unit designed for teenagers and young adults. I think it would have been difficult for me to be on a children’s ward but also not right to go to the adult ward.
After all the chemo I can’t wait to get back to swimming as it will be a big part of my recovery and it’s good to know I have the support of the teenager cancer trust, as well as my family and friends from my swimming club.
