Meet Megan, diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, aged 15

Meet Megan, diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, aged 15

I’m Megan, aged 20, studying Primary Teaching at Uni. Before my diagnosis I was a very active teenager - I loved going on long walks with my family and played tennis weekly.
 
Towards the end of Summer 2015 I became very tired and irritable, I didn’t want to go out as it took up so much energy. I kept attending school as it was my GCSE year, but two weeks into the autumn term I developed a pain in my hip and started limping.

After two visits to my GP, I was sent for a blood test which indicated cancer (I didn’t know this at the time). I was admitted to hospital via A&E and needed a blood transfusion straight away as my haemoglobin had dropped to 57 (it should be between 120 to 150).

After two days of tests, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. I needed more than two years of treatment.

During this time, I completed my GCSEs and then went on to college to study Childcare and Education Level 3. I was able to ring the end of treatment bell on 19 January 2018, a day I will never forget.

Sadly, due to complications caused by steroid treatment, I developed a condition called Avascular Necrosis (AVN). The steroids had cut off the blood supply to my joints which led to my hip joints crumbling and collapsing. I needed to take a year out of college and during this time I recovered from a double hip replacement. Both my shoulders will need to be replaced at some point as well.

The treatment itself was not the hardest part – it was the unforeseen complications, having my education interrupted and the long-term side effects.  To this day I still suffer with fatigue, memory issues and a lack of concentration.

My CLIC Sargent social worker told me about Teens Unite. I didn’t feel very confident during treatment, but once it was finished, I soon got involved.

Since signing up, I’ve taken part in Clip and Climb, yoga sessions, beauty days and a Mother’s Day Afternoon tea (my mum loved it). The one event that has really stood out for me was the Activity Stay when I cannonballed off a raft into a lake.

Cancer is a very isolating experience. I found that my friends, although amazing, didn’t fully understand. Through Teens Unite it’s been so lovely to meet individuals who have a shared realisation of what I’ve been going through.

Teens Unite doesn’t focus on the cancer but links you to likeminded young people – similar to a family, that enabled me to forget my worries.

My hope for the future is to follow in the family trend of becoming a Primary School Teacher. I am adjusting to a new ‘normal’ health wise and looking forward to this next stage in my life.

Teen Stories

Upcoming Events

Detailed below are our events for Teens, Volunteers, Fundraising and Challenges.

 

Keep up to date

 

By providing your email address, you'll be kept up to date with our latest news and events. You can opt out at any time, simply email info@teensunite.org

Name*