Andrew's Leukaemia Story | Children with Cancer UK

Diagnosis

I was three when I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). I was a very active toddler and within two weeks I lost the energy I normally had, slept a lot and developed a very swollen stomach with my liver and spleen enlarging. My lips then turning blue led to urgent hospital admission. I had repeated blood and platelet transfusions in the initial weeks, allowing me to get the bone marrow check with a diagnosis of leukaemia being certain. The many medicines and steroids given, began to work after three weeks. I was then entered into a three-year plan of treatments.

I was a very active toddler and within two weeks I lost the energy

Treatment

Although my treatment was some years ago, the type and genetic markers of my leukaemia, allowed my parents to be given expectation of treatment likely being successful but we all faced a long road at that time. I am so very fortunate to not really remember the initial days, but I do remember getting many medications and checks from the nurses and, after going home there were very regular visits to Great Ormond Street for my white ‘sleepy ‘ medicine to get my chemo drugs and bone-marrow check-ups. I was not the most willing child in taking my medications. The yellow methotrexate especially tasted awful, and my mum dreaded the day each week it was needed.

Eventually it changed to a pill, which was hidden in something sweet which helped! It was a long three years and reaching the end of the treatment course was a huge relief.

The first year was the most challenging with the intensive blocks of treatments. Hurdles along the way included some infections needing admission to hospital. I got chickenpox again and various fevers, but I still went to school whenever possible.

Side effects

In the intensive blocks of treatment, I developed Diabetes – due to the big doses of steroids I needed, and I then needed insulin treatment. Thankfully, this resolved with the steroid dose reducing and stopping.

I developed a sleepy eye or squint, needing three operations to my eyes in the years after treatment ended, as the medications had damaged the nerves or muscles in my eyes.

Life now

All however is now good, and I have kept really well in the years since. My mum was always determined, whenever possible, I should not miss out. I do not think I did – at least not much. I had a choice of how to get my intravenous medicines and chose a ‘port’ which allowed me to still learn to swim though my love of rugby had to wait until after the port was removed. I remain well and I am now a studying history at University of Leeds. I love sport and have started rowing, which I love. Rugby was a big favourite of mine. I played for school and also a league rugby club. I ran the 2025 London Marathon, raising £3500 for Children with Cancer. I have applied to study for a year in Australia next year, perhaps running the Sydney Marathon while there as well.

Maybe I was lucky in that I was quite young when I got my diagnosis. I am sure it was harder for my mum and dad at that time. I am though completely well and enjoying student life.

I send my best wishes to those still going through their treatment to reach the end of their treatment plan.

Andrew, February 2026

Andrew’s Leukaemia Story

Diagnosis

Treatment

Side effects

Life now