In November 2008 Nathan was playing touch rugby and injured his
leg. Over the next month the pain didn't subside and walking became
more and more difficult. During our family holiday at Waihi Beach
at the beginning of January Mum and Dad took Nathan to the local
doctor. She referred them straight to Medex -Tauranga for an ultra
sound and x-ray, and that's where our family's cancer journey
started.
Nathan was admitted to Waikato Hospital on the 21st
January 2009 with a huge lump on his thigh - close to his hip. The
night after being admitted he rolled over in bed and his leg broke.
The cancer had weakened the right proximal femur such that it was
very brittle and the pressure of the tumour forced it to break. The
following day - without knowing that the bone was actually broken -
Nathan, in excruciating pain, went through a CT scan, MRI and
x-ray. Doctors and nurses were moving and twisting his leg to get
the scans done. Nathan was diagnosed with cancer two weeks
later.
Our first introduction to CanTeen was through Ellen, the AYA
Nurse Specialist who came to the meeting with the doctors who told
us about Nathan's cancer and the treatment. She was a wonderful
support to Nathan and our family and her expertise as a nurse was a
comfort when we had so many questions.
Nathan spent a bed ridden three months with a broken leg before
chemotherapy had reduced the size of the tumour enough that it
could be removed. Being an older sibling I found it incredibly
difficult to watch my brother in so much pain for three long
months. I lost count of the number of days I sat there wishing I
could take his place so he wouldn't have to be in pain anymore.
Cancer, or any long illness for that matter, teaches you how
strong you are. Cancer teaches you what you are capable of coping
with and it helps you to recognise what is important. As a family
we helped each other through the year. Everyone had his or her bad
days and that was okay but most of the time we stayed positive. We
had a lot of laughs and Nathan's positive attitude and incredible
strength kept the rest of the family inspired.
It was an exhausting and scary year but my sister Renae and I
wouldn't have been able to do what we did for Nathan without the
support of CanTeen. Nathan spent three weeks in hospital in
Auckland after the operation and thanks to CanTeen, Renae and I
were able to visit him often. The phone cards CanTeen provided
allowed Nathan to stay in touch with us from his hospital bed and
demand the odd takeaway when hospital food was getting too
much!
My first CanTeen camp was a chance for me to get to know others
in similar situations to myself. When CanTeeners meet as a group
there is an incredible feeling of strength and friendship that only
comes when people have been through experiences with young people
living with cancer. I was both inspired, and saddened by others'
stories. There are so many young people in New Zealand that are
affected by cancer and CanTeen is there to support them. I am
excited to be part of an organisation that brings other young
people hope and happiness and I can only encourage other young
people who are put in the horrible situation of being diagnosed
with cancer to become part of this fantastic team of people.
Rachel Orr