Lewis Harbron - September 2008

My name is Lewis Harbron and I am 9 years old.

When I was seven I had very bad headaches. The doctor thought I just had a cold but when I had an eye test the optician saw something was wrong in my head. I had to go to the NGH children’s ward where they found a brain tumour. It was in a place where they couldn’t operate so I had Chemotherapy for nine months. I felt ill most of the time and missed a lot of school. For a year I was fine but in July a routine scan showed the tumour had started to grow so I have to have radiotherapy 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

I feel fine and don’t mind the treatment as I can listen to my favourite music because Charlie Bear provides personal CD’s players for patients; I go to school every day.

I have 2 brothers Bradley who is 8 and Reece who is 3 and we have two dogs called Buster and Frank I love playing football, at school and with my brothers Bradley and Reece.  

My favourite team is Chelsea. I have seen them play at Stamford Bridge. I met all the players and they signed a shirt for me.

I want to be a footballer.

Lewis Harbron

Matthew Gill - March 2008

Our son Matthew received radiotherapy treatment at NCCT in 2001, following two sets of surgery to remove tumours from his spine. He had just turned nine and had been diagnosed the previous year. His course of treatment was six weeks long, beginning in November and ending on New Years Eve. He can’t remember much about it, apart from feeling tired and vomiting a lot. He does have a ‘Treatment Diary’ which he was encouraged to fill in and the cap which was used to make the mould for his head, as well as a certificate which was presented to him on his last session. The attention he (and we as a family) received throughout, from his fittings in the mould room, the visits to the planning room, to the radiotherapy itself was fabulous. Considering how many people go through that department, everyone was an individual; all the staff were just amazing and really cared about their patients.

Matthew has had further surgery and chemotherapy at the RVI and still has MRI scans and clinic appointments at the NGH. I could never thank or praise everyone enough for their care and attention.

Jennifer Gill, parent.

Jayne Dixon - June 2007

Cancer seems to touch so many peoples’ lives but you never think it will happen to you.  Unfortunately it did happen to me in July 2001.  At the age of 29 I was diagnosed with a tumour in my right parotid gland (salivary gland).

Mr Andy Welch at the Freeman Hospital successfully conducted surgery to remove the tumour and gland.  Tests then revealed that the tumour was malignant and I was placed in the very caring hands of Dr. Charles Kelly at the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment. 6 weeks of radiotherapy followed and due to my treatment, I was unable to eat and therefore needed to have a feeding tube fitted to allow me to take in the nutrients I needed to help me get well.

During my time at the NCCT, all of the staff were fantastic (particularly those on the Radiotherapy Suite).  Always trying to keep me positive and give me useful hints to make my treatment as bearable possible. My radiotherapy worked well and in July 2004 I gave birth to my gorgeous daughter Emma and in July 2006 I was given the all clear. The memories of what my husband and I went through at the time will never leave me but I’m so thankful that our story had a happy ending.

Sadly in August 2006 my best friend Trish Traynor died at the age of 35 from a brain tumour – just 3 weeks before her wedding.  Trish also had treatment at the NCCT and we regularly shared stories about our treatment and experiences. I’m sure it must be rare for two close friends to have treatment around the same time but it just goes to show you never know who will be affected.

Jayne Dixon

Kelly Hudson - January 2007

In January 2007 I made my first visit to NCCT to start my radiotherapy and was scared, I didn’t know what to expect but everyone was very kind and friendly and I decided that radiotherapy could not be any worse than Chemo. I had all the preparation done and a CT scan then Mam and me were shown around the department and we met everyone who was going to help me.

I received a puzzle book and a diary from the Charlie Bear charity. I also got a video which showed me what was going to happen. My first treatment took about 5 minutes and I got a sticker for my diary. Then I met Angie and the girls from the Charlie Bear Shop. They gave me a lovely bear and it was the start of a lovely friendship. In the 3rd week of my treatment Angie from Charlie Bear invited me to St James's Park on "Show Racism the Red Card" day. We had a great time. I met Peter Beardsley Peter Ramage and the girls from the women's football team.

When my treatment was finished I gave presents to everyone who had helped me. I still keep in touch and try to raise funds for Charlie Bear. My mam and brother are going to take part in Gregg's Cancer Run.

I'd like to say thanks again to everyone who helped especially Angie and Charlie Bear.

Kelly Hudson