A Young Battler

In November 2016, a fit, bright and full of aspirations teenager was struck with disbelief when his doctor told him he had osteosarcoma in his right leg.

“In a way, I felt denial. I couldn’t believe it was happening to me,” said Tom.

He would go on to receive nine months of intensive chemotherapy followed by a major surgery replacing his knee joint with a metal prosthetic. Tom initially responded well to the chemotherapy and the prognosis was looking positive. However, 12 months on a regular scan showed a spot in his lung. Tom’s cancer had spread.

“I was hopeful and excited. It was great knowing there was something that could be done rather than just sitting around waiting and watching the cancer grow, not knowing what to do. It was good knowing there were people out there who were trying to come up with a treatment that could hopefully cure me, and others like me in the future,” said Tom.

The trial involves Tom being treated fortnightly with two hours of post monitoring. It’s less intense and hasn’t come with as many side effects as his past treatment. This has also meant he has been able to spend more time with his friends and concentrate on study.

Through the bad days and the endless hospital walls, Tom still managed to complete grade 12 with flying colours and received an academic scholarship in engineering at QUT. His goal is to graduate university and be an engineer helping to design Formula 1 race cars.

Tom completed the trial in late 2018, but unfortunately since then his cancer has spread and Tom has gone onto receive radiation therapy treatment and is now on another clinical trial. For Tom and his family, they are still grateful for the ongoing care and the chance to be part of a clinical trial. For Leanne, she just hopes there will one day be a cure.

“It’s hard on any family. Rare cancers are often the forgotten ones. I hope there will be more opportunity for more trials in this space. I would ultimately love for there to be an effective drug targeting cancers like Tom’s. Clinical trials are so important. And I’d say to anyone to give it a go, because you might just be the person it works for.”

Despite everything, Tom continues to live the best possible life he can, surrounded by family and friends and is driven by a clear goal and a motivation to keep going no matter what.