Tomorro's Story

After finishing my A-levels in the summer of 2023, I found a lump on my foot whilst solo travelling Indonesia.

Once arriving home, I went to my nearest minor injury unit expecting to be diagnosed with a minor sports injury. However they did an X-ray and saw a mass. They sent me home with an appointment at my local hospital. During this time I was studying to be a paramedic at university. After MRI’s and multiple x rays the consultant referred to the specialist sarcoma centre at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham.

I had multiple scans plus a biopsy and curretage surgery in November 2023. I was travelling from uni in Cornwall to the hospital in Birmingham to try and find out what was wrong. After a long 9 week wait for biopsy results I was diagnosed with a Giant Cell tumour, an incredibly rare type of bone tumour. It affects around 1 in a million people in the UK. The tumour is aggressive and destructive of bone.

I deferred from my university course where I was studying to be a paramedic and moved back home to be looked after by my parents.

I underwent 4 months of biological therapy treatment at the TYA unit at Bristol Oncology Centre and then had further reconstructive surgery on my foot during the summer of 2024. The tumour was removed and a bone graft was taken from my fibula.

After 6 months in a plaster cast, I had the external fixation removed during my 3rd surgery. Currently my grafted bone isn’t fusing so my mobility is restricted and I am not allowed to weight bear.

Although there is uncertainty about my further mobility, I remain positive and I hope I can one day pursue my dream and go back to university to become a paramedic. I look forward to regaining my independence and living the life every 20 year old should.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay away and spend much needed quality time with family.