Teens Unite Fighting Cancer

Teens Unite Fighting Cancer is dedicated to improving the lives of young people aged between 13-24 with cancer and life limiting illnesses.

Thursday 26 May 2016

I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT

Teen Post by Elisha Searl - http://aspoon-full-ofsugar.blogspot.co.uk/

Writing this post has been running through my mind for the past few days. Do I celebrate it? Do I forget it? The day that changed my life. The day I was diagnosed with cancer, at a young age of 19! Bloody 19! It seems so long yet not so long ago, if that makes any sense. Cancer, really, me? I still feel baffled by it all on this very day. A teenager working on a business career and getting drunk at the weekend, normal me spending time with my wonderful, happy family and looking forward to a holiday I booked with the girls.
That day, four years ago, I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT.

 
So much has happened and changed in these past 4 years, I have lost a lot but also gained so much. I have lost a part of me, beautiful friends and a physical loss but at the same time I have gained a lot of friends, experience, support and memories.
Having a cancer diagnosis has been a rough little journey, a constant feeling of happy one minute and sad the next. I still suffer with getting my head around how I had to fight for my life and how hard it is getting used to this new, normal me.
Some people just float on and forget about cancer and everything that happened. For me, I can't forget about it, so I embrace my journey and experience, which is why I share it with you on here and work in fundraising to raise awareness of charities and cancer in young people.

I find it hard to forget about because now I have involved myself in the cancer world. A community which is very loving and supportive yet very hard and emotionally draining.
There just isn't a happy medium. Cancer is an emotional battle and having all the treatment and being in hospital for 8 months was the easiest part, it's being alive and surviving that is the hardest part. Something that keeps me going is feeling blessed that I am still alive and well.

I believe that everything happens for a reason and for some reason, I was given that awful news, which has shaped the person I am today and I wouldn't change it.
That's a lie, I would like to change some things! Stopping pain, fatigue and chemo brain and for there to be a cure for cancer. My diagnosis has given me so many opportunities I couldn't imagine of ever experiencing if I wasn't involved in the cancer bubble. I am forever grateful of the amazing support from all the fantastic charities that are out there. Without generous people donating, there would be little support and care for young people like me!

I am looking forward to another year being cancer free and celebrating 4 years post stem cell transplant on 29th November this year. Happy days!!
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Friday 20 May 2016

"Two teenagers diagnosed with rare forms of cancer have fallen in love after meeting through a dedicated support group."

Part of this post has been copied from MirrorOnline. To read the full article please click here http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/smitten-teen-couple-who-met-7943997
 
Katie-Lily Bryant, 16, from Surrey, and Rian Harvey, 17, from Dorset, are enjoying life together, with a special ability to support each other 'in a way that other people are not able to'.
 
 
Katie-Lily, who lives near Farnham, was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma in May last year after finding a 3cm-by-3cm-sized lump on her neck.
Unbeknown to her, her future boyfriend had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia - an aggressive form of the disease that rarely affects youths - two years earlier.
 
"Before my diagnosis, I had been going to the doctor's for 10 months, complaining of headaches and constant pains through my body," Katie-Lily said.
"The doctors were not too concerned because it didn't seem like anything major. However, on May 10 last year, a lump came up above my collarbone out of nowhere.

"The next day, I was rushed through the system to have scans and biopsies. I was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting 1,200 people every year in the UK.
"I was only 15 when I was diagnosed. Both my family and I were heartbroken knowing what was ahead of me and that it was life-threatening.
 

 
Katie-Lily underwent her first chemotherapy session at Southampton General Hospital on July 1 - coincidentally, the same day that Rian received a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
For the next three weeks, the then-15-year-old - who also had to undergo an operation to remove a huge tumour - was confined to her hospital bed.
She lost her ability to walk, speak or eat, and was forced to take epilepsy medication to prevent her legs from shaking uncontrollably.
 
She also set up an inspirational blog to reassure other cancer-stricken teens that they were not alone - something she continues to write to this day.
"As soon as I was diagnosed I knew having an unhealthy mind-set would not help me to achieve having a healthy body," Katie-Lily said.
"How could I possibly go through all this treatment if I didn’t have a positive outlook?
"I spent 2015 in a child’s cancer ward. Unfortunately not everyone made it to the end of the year. But me? Yes I had cancer, but I was still there able to fight my battles."
"To me that makes me very lucky."
She added: "I started my blog to help me get things of my chest and to let my friends and family know what was happening.
 
"But most importantly, If there is just one person that is going through similar things and my blog has helped that would make me so happy.
"Knowing that I can make a positive out of a rubbish situation!"
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Katie-Lily said she and Rian are hoping to turn both of their individual journeys into a book in the future, from 'both a teenage boy and teenage girl's point of view going through cancer'.
"We hope we will be able to not just help other people fighting this awful disease, but touch the hearts of people who have not been affected by cancer," she said.
 
To read Katie's blog, click here . And to read Rian's, click here .
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Monday 9 May 2016

Teen Bethany shares her story


"My name is Bethany and I am 18 years old.
I was an active and studious 17 year old until January 2015, when I was diagnosed with stage 2A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Despite feeling physically fit, I found a small lump on the side of my neck before Christmas and was certain it was a cyst or a bruise. I’d never been directly affected by Cancer; I never related Cancer with teenagers either, least of all me, until I cried "My A Levels" in devastation when the words were lodged in my mind. "Blood Cancer".

I began chemotherapy in February and expected to have 4 cycles of treatment. I missed my mock exams and went against teachers, friends and parental advice to quit education and defer my A Levels for a year. I wasn’t going to allow the disease to consume or define me; I knew where I wanted to be in a year’s time. Instead, I continued attending school in between chemo sessions and revised from my hospital bed. The treatment hit me hard. I lost my appetite and felt weak, as if my body gave up on me. The joint pain was immense, unable to walk, sleep or move – draining my energy, focus and productivity in school. It was an endless cycle. My physical appearance changed dramatically due to weight gain, as a result of enormous amounts of steroids, and the loss of my hair. This affected me emotionally, feeling like no one understood or could help, so I kept it to myself. I remember looking in the mirror and staring at the hairless, round and translucent face that greeted me thinking, "This isn’t me. It can’t be me".
Despite the difficulties and dark cycles of chemotherapy, sleep and revision, I was determined to remain positive throughout. I rarely spoke negatively about the experience, smiled and took a day at a time. I donated 14" of my long, luscious, dark hair so I could appreciate a smile on someone else’s face. However, I couldn’t have remained optimistic without the ongoing support of family and charities such as Teens Unite. Teens Unite enabled me to meet like-minded people at events who did understand and could help, whilst making me feel secure and ‘normal’. They offered a glimmer of hope and fun amongst the darkest of times. My first event was ‘Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea’ which was before my treatment started; it helped me enormously by talking to people who had already experienced chemotherapy, whilst receiving advice, tips and reassurance. Other events, such as Winter Wonderland and Go-Karting, helped me to be carefree again and socialise with others instead of feeling like I stood out. I have made some lifelong friends as we can understand and relate to each other completely, therefore I cannot thank Teens Unite enough.
Thankfully, I was announced ‘All clear’ on the 21st of May – a week before my exams and on my Grandad’s 80th birthday. I exceeded targets and accomplished my dream grades of A*AA, securing a place at University. Now, I am based at the University of Nottingham and study BA Geography. It was difficult to begin University when fragile, unconfident and embarrassed as though I was being judged, but I’ve found my feet and progressed. I continue to see friends from Teens Unite and appreciate the ongoing support from them, as I believe the period after treatment can prove difficult to deal with due to emotional instability and pressure to get life ‘back on track’. It’s been eventful and surreal, but I am truly blessed."


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Tuesday 3 May 2016

Introducing, Discover You

We are proud to announce that on Saturday 25th June 2016, Teens Unite will be holding a brand new event for 200 young people who have been personally affected by cancer, which will be sponsored by Global radio.

Held at 200 Aldersgate Conference Centre, St Paul’s; the event will be a conference with a difference. It will be a vibrant, interactive, fun and energetic day packed full of professional speakers, entertainers, games and a load more surprises.
(read more below)

 The day will be completely free of charge, including food and drink throughout, mini massages, goodie bags and programs, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to visit many well-known health and good food stalls, and take away a whole host of amazing freebies!

This is certainly not an event to miss out on, however we must limit the day to only 200 young people, therefore please confirm your space fast by emailing teens@teensunitefightingcancer.org or call 01992 440091 for more information.

We hope you are able to be a part of this incredible journey with Teens Unite!
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