Tom

“A lot of the time I think back and I’m almost looking at the younger me as a separate person, thinking ‘oh god, a child having to go through that’”, reflects Tom. “I still remember the injections and the smell of alcohol wipes – for years, I couldn’t handle that smell as it took me back to my time in hospital.”

Tom was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 1992, when he was just two years old.

Tom received chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery that included removing his left kidney.

Tom’s treatment ended in 1993 but it left him with a digestive condition that would impact him as he began school the following year.

“Initially I didn’t realise there was anything unusual to be managed but I soon noticed other kids weren’t having to leave class as often as me. As I became more self-aware I started to feel like I had to fit in.”

Throughout his childhood, Tom’s condition made participation in various activities more challenging, such as school trips and social gatherings, due to concerns about managing his health in those situations. He admits seeing anonymity as a safer option.

“I had a good group of friends but, outside of those I felt safe around, I was quite guarded and I didn’t want to let them in too much. I wanted to pass under the radar and saw it as less risky to be anonymous.”

As Tom got older, the desire to find and express more of his own identity prompted him to seek therapy, where he discovered the profound and incurring impact of his treatment.

“Talking to a therapist, I soon realised the after-effects of treatment had had more of a lasting effect than I’d previously acknowledged. There was a lot to unpack and work through to undo some of the knock-on impact.

“Now that I understand where certain behavioural traits and attitudes come from, I see that a lot of it traces back to the effects of the cancer treatment.”

Reflecting on his past, Tom acknowledged his reluctance to burden his parents with his own challenges, opting to keep his emotions bottled up.

“I was aware of what my parents had gone through and how much they were already doing to support me. I was wary of not wanting to add to that, so I didn’t talk about things when I could have done.”

In recent years, however, Tom has undergone a significant transformation in his outlook. He now takes pride in his accomplishments despite his condition.

“A big shift that’s happened in the last few years has been acknowledging the impact my condition has had on me. What I’ve done in my life despite my condition gives me pride, and that wasn’t there before. It was always a feeling that it’s my job to be able to manage this condition and, if I can’t, I’ve somehow failed. But now I’m kinder to myself.”

Tom excelled at school and went on to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, followed by a Master’s in Sustainability. After working for a communications agency and Transport for London, he was recruited into a Management Consultancy company.

“Because I felt a bit limited by my condition, I hadn’t really thought about what I’d like to do or what I could do because I didn’t know if I would be able to work full time. What’s nice is now knowing that I can do it and I feel like there are many more options and possibilities in terms of my career and future.”

Tom’s recent acknowledgement of what he went through as a child is encapsulated by running a half marathon, holding a picture throughout the run of himself when he had neuroblastoma and, in his words, ‘doing it for Little Tom’.

He has also joined the Board of PanCare, an international collaborative network dedicated to improving the long-term health and well-being of childhood cancer survivors.

“When I first came across PanCare, it was mind-blowing to know that this community exists. Growing up, I really wanted to meet another child who’d gone through something similar. But, pre-internet there was no easy way of finding anyone and I thought I must be the only one and no one else understands.

“It was a big moment for me to realise that I wasn’t the only one and there were so many people at PanCare who care about life after treatment. I know from my own experience the importance of long-term follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors, so it’s great to be a part of work to improve that.”

Looking back at his journey and his struggles as a child, Tom considers the advice he would give to his younger self, and highlights the significance of seeking support.

"There are people who want to help. You can voice how you’re feeling – it’s as valid as the physical symptoms you’re experiencing. If I’d had people like me to talk to and been connected to charities like Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, many of those feelings of isolation and anxiety would’ve dissolved away.”

Tom's story exemplifies the resilience and strength found within individuals who have faced the challenges of surviving childhood cancer. Through his journey, we are reminded of the importance of support, perseverance, and hope in overcoming adversity.