I would not be where I am today without my parents help. They have a huge influence on me and have done everything they can to support me. I can only imagine what it must have been like for them watching their child suffer and seeing me sent off for surgery, a number of times, not knowing if I would wake up again.
They have been there from the very start of my roller coaster ride, strived to protect me, fought for me and encouraged me. Here are 3 things I am so glad my parents did to help me recover and survive cancer treatment.
Supported My Education
I was first diagnosed with a brain tumor aged six. The treatment I had made it harder for me to learn. My parents helped me develop strategies to manage my education. There is a massive lack of understanding about how trauma and brain injury can impact on a child’s education. I really struggled keeping up with classwork because of how quick I could process information, the consequence being it affected my reading, writing and caused anxiety.
With a physical disability there may be visual prompts regarding individual needs. With a hidden, mild cognitive function difficulty, some people and organisations struggled to understand the challenges I faced trying to cope in school. Funding for flexible learning programmes and support is often limited.
My parents listened to me. I didn’t know how to help myself. They never forced me to do something I really didn’t want to do. They helped me find interests and hobbies to support my development and gradually move me onto the next milestone.
They networked and found retired teachers and role models so they could support my education. They constantly tried to let key people know how I was feeling or what I was experiencing. They worked so hard to negotiate with professionals to adapt and find creative ways to meet my changing needs.
I had neuropsychological/cognitive function tests as a child and also as an adult. I am pleased to say that comparing the two tests, I am now above average in most areas, unlike before. When I was a child I was severely below average.
Without my parents, I am not sure how my mental capacity would be. They thought out of the box and found help for home tuition. Even though I don’t have loads of qualifications, my life experiences far out weighs any of this.
Recognised The Value Of Exercise And Nutrition
The brutality of my intense cancer treatment at the aged of 12 left me feeling extremely weak. You can probably imagine the impact this had on my mental health.
My mum, in her younger days, was very sporty and she knew how exercise and nutrition could massively help my recovery. She was lucky to have known a friend called Jo Boyce who introduced us to supplements.
As well as taking supplements and having a balanced diet, my mum took me to a local gym where I started swimming to gradually build up my strength. I have always been very intrigued by water for some reason. Even though it was physically hard at first, I loved it, and then it developed further into liking other sports.
My parents support was invaluable, slowly and step by step, over a period of about two months, I started to feel better. The doctors were amazed with my recovery time.
Gave Me Freedom
After going through my intense treatment the real recovery afterwards takes time. Only very gradually did I start to feel better and then I was filled with life. I started to love cycling and to occupy my time, once my parents returned to work part time. I cycled to my teacher’s house for tuition and to see my local family. Most people around my age were in school so I was always slightly worried about being stopped by the police though I was doing nothing wrong. To me cycling, just like sailing, felt like another way to escape life’s problems and to be adventurous.
I can only imagine how my parents must have felt. They had been there the whole time for me then suddenly, I just wanted to explore my independence.
As my journey has progressed I realise now, how everything I experienced was interlinked by the determined efforts of my mum and dad who had to think on their feet and learn fast just to carry on and support my needs.
May God continue his blessings upon you and your family! Matt you are a remarkable young man! Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing your story for others!!! ❤️
Hi Christina, thanks for your wonderful message. May God Bless you and your family in everything you do. Stay Well! 🙂
My daughter has ependymoma and reading this and your survival story has made my day. Thank you!
Hi Crystal, it was lovely learning about your story over facebook. It seems you have very similar experiences of what we also faced as a family. I am here if you ever need any advice and I am glad I have managed to provide you with some pacific research regarding Ependymomas. Wishing your daughter the very best, stay in touch.
Matt, thank you for posting this. I’ve sent this link to my daughter who turns 27 in July and was dx’d with medulloblastoma in 2006; she just celebrated 12 years cancer-free on May 28th! As a mom who was on the “front line” of defense during my daughter’s treatment, I love how you’ve honored and recognized your parents’ contributions to your recovery and health. I’ll be interested in hearing my daughter’s “3 Things.” As for me, I have 4 (ever the “rule breaker”) : 1) Relentless Optimism; 2) Nutrition/supplements; 3) Cannabis; 4) Acupuncture. Cheers!
Thanks Susan for your amazing input, It was great chatting to you on facebook and glad she is doing well. Having love ones around you for me comes before anything, and though I didn’t see all the decisions made by my parents as good when I was a child now I am older, I see why. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
What an incredible team you have all been together. I love this post Matt – and know it will inspire other Mums and Dads who are doing their best, advocating for their children. x
Hi Claire
Thank you for your comment, you got the message in one. Please feel free to add any more thoughts that also may help other people too.
Thanks
Matt