Jack's story

I love sports and have always been active. I believed this would keep me fit and healthy and free of disease. When you’ve held that belief so religiously, nothing can prepare you for hearing the words ‘you have cancer’.

I never in a million years thought I’d get cancer! I guess no one does, but that’s especially true when you’re a teenager. As a teenager you believe you’re invincible and you have the whole world at your feet! But when I was diagnosed I was forced to grow up...very quickly.

I was 17, enjoying life, playing loads of rugby for my school but then I started to have back problems on and off for a year. I wasn’t too worried as I just put it down to rugby injuries, however in September 2007 I noticed a lump on my back which by December had become so painful that I couldn’t move. I also became really lethargic and had night sweats, so I was referred for blood tests and scans.

All the tests came back showing abnormalities but none of them gave us any answers. Then my MRI scan showed a large tumour in my pelvis. I was diagnosed with bone cancer in February 2008 and was referred to Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit at UCH in London to start treatment – 14 cycles of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy.

The moment I left the hospital after my diagnosis, I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to let cancer beat me. I would remain positive throughout the radiotherapy, chemotherapy, the hair loss and the sickness. The chemo was horrible and made me really sick. During the first cycle I was comatose for two weeks, I lost my appetite and my hair fell out. But I gradually got used to the treatment and didn’t suffer too much after that. On the days I found it hard to keep my spirits up, I had my family and friends to be strong for me.

Teenage Cancer Trust has been there for me the entire time as well. Being treated on one of their units is the best place I could have ended up for treatment. I highly recommend it! On the ward there are so many things that helped me feel like a teenager, rather than just a cancer patient. There are pool tables, plasma TVs, games consoles - everything you’d ever want or need, especially when you’re feeling so awful.

I finished my treatment in December 2008 which was a huge relief. I was looking forward to my hair growing back, going back to school and starting to feel normal again. But after a couple of months I still wasn’t feeling right. In March 2009 I went back to the hospital for tests which showed that the bone cancer had come back in my spine. It was a massive blow, but to be honest at the back of my mind I knew they were going to tell me it had come back.

So I had a week’s course of radiotherapy and another four cycles of chemotherapy which lasted about four months. The chemo wasn’t as bad as the first time and fortunately I managed to keep most of my hair! During my treatment I was lucky enough to be involved in Teenage Cancer Trust’s shows at the Royal Albert Hall. I featured in a short film which was shown before the acts and also went on stage to tell people a bit about Teenage Cancer Trust. It was pretty daunting getting up in front of 5,000 people but by the last night I was loving it and I even got everyone to sing Happy Birthday to my mum!

At the beginning of my treatment, I wanted to be fit enough to go on a rugby tour to South Africa with my school. This goal is something I’ve kept in my mind and it has always helped me through the past two years. I’m pleased to say I was able to mark the end of my treatment and the beginning of a new chapter of good health in my life with an unforgettable adventure.