Help give my son some memories with his family

24th February 2021 (a date we will never forget) our youngest son Robbie only 21 was diagnosed with Nodular Predominant Lymphocyte Hodgkin's Lymphoma; a rare type of Hodgkin lymphoma where only 200 people of the UK population are diagnosed each year.

 

Around 1 in 4 people have advanced stage NLPHL when they are diagnosed and Robbie was Stage 3 by the time they diagnosed him; which meant he had to have treatment to his whole body rather than just one area. The consultant opted for R-Chop the more aggressive type of Chemotherapy.

 

 

One of the first things we suggested was to get him registered with the newly opened Sapphire Medical Cannabis Clinic in Sterling . Initially the hospital consultant wasn’t keen as he said there was no proof it would have an effect on this type of cancer. Still, we signed him up and the clinic done all the back work for us then worked closely with the hospital consultant and got Robbie a treatment plan for cannabis too.

 

He was given a prescription of CBD oil which is thought to attack and kill the popcorn cells this type of cancer produces, THC oil and dry bud to help him cope with the effects of the chemo. This hasn’t come cheaply, with each prescription costing around £300 and each video consultation £50.

 

 

He has spent most of this year battling the effects of the chemo, at times it was really a struggle (you never want to hear your child convinced they are going to die) but mostly he just put his head down and got on with it, as parents we couldn’t be prouder of him. Whenever we asked how he was feeling he would say “Aye I’m alright, moaning and crying isn’t going to change the situation it’s only going to get all you upset.”

 

His first round of chemo sent him right back into hospital for his first ever hospital sleepover for a few days, as they struggled to get his anti-sick medication settled. With the covid situation none of us could visit him or attend his chemo appointments; he had to do the lot on his own.

 

Halfway through his treatment we got the great news we had been hoping for, his lumps were shrinking so responding to the chemo, at last some positive news. Then comes another blow, he contracted Covid-19, the only person who we really didn’t want to catch it. Thankfully due to him being the fighter that he is he battled that too alongside the Cancer and the Chemo.

 

He got through his last half of treatment and then it was back to the waiting game to see if it had worked. Then on 22nd September he got the best news he could have; his cancer was in very good remission. Due to the type of cancer it is, it will make a return but for now he just needs to focus on recovery.

 

 

Previous to Robbie’s diagnosis he worked for the 2 Sisters Food Group at the chicken factory in Blairgowrie. He was a Key Worker battling through each lockdown working in minus temperatures not knowing he had cancer when he should have been shielding.

 

He had to go through the normal Statutory Sick Pay process and now is on Universal Credit going from a full-time wage. He applied for PIP and got refused! A cancer patient being refused a disability benefit is just ridiculous. With the cost of his prescriptions for the clinic it really has been a struggle for him financially on top of his health conditions.

 

 

Robbie’s girlfriend Steph has been very supportive while also having her hands full with their daughter Lily who was diagnosed with Autism at the beginning of this year. Lily is only 3 and struggles with communication and understanding, this has a frustrating effect on her as she can’t actively ask for what she wants. She is a very independent little girl and has no sense of danger so she really is a full-time job. It’s taken some time but she now attends a nursery equipped for that extra bit of help that Lily needs.

Steph is now trying to organise a Cancer Bell to be presented to Ninewells Hospital as they don’t have one.

 

Life has been cruel to their little family this year so I would really love to be able bring a smile to their faces and help them make some memories as a family. I aim to get them away on a little break and let them enjoy some special moments.

 

 

I would also like to donate some of all funds raised to the Teenage and Young Persons Charity for the ward at Ninewells who helped Robbie through his journey they all were amazing with him.

 

I would be extremely honoured and humbled if you would like to help.

Love to you all, keep safe

xxx