With exams just round the corner and radiotherapy about to begin, Alice is feeling the strain of having to deal with both school and treatment whilst still battling with the demon crutches! In her words, Alice explains how she could do with some “time out” to forget about things and relax without worrying about other complications. Walking has never seemed like such a luxury as Alice explains how important it is not to take it for granted and longs for the use of her legs once more. After a period of feeling down, Alice perks up after a very successful weekend of walking without crutches and despite it being a long process, is determined to be running around as soon as possible! As the foot in question is beginning to heal nicely, Alice takes the time to show us where the operation took place…a process which still makes her go a bit funny when she has to look at it for too long! In preparation for radiotherapy, Alice takes a trip to the hospital where a mould of her leg is taken, followed up by a heavy tattooing session…unfortunately for radiotherapy purposes only!

Through a series of photographs, taken before and during his cancer treatment, Anthony shows us how cancer can not only dramatically alter your way of life, but also the way you look. From nights out with friends and fun filled fancy dress parties to potent images of his time in hospital, this film tracks Anthony’s progress and offers a powerful insight into the physical side effects of having cancer.

As Alice prepares for radiotherapy on her foot, life on crutches is taking its toll. With exams only round the corner, as well as not being able to do a lot for herself, Alice explains how frustrated and apprehensive she is feeling at the prospect of facing the next few months ahead. A surprise trip to see one of her favourite bands, Muse, at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust soon gets Alice feeling excited and raring to go, even amongst feeling tired and energy less. After receiving some positive test results back following an examination of the muscle surrounding the tumour in her foot, Alice is left feeling incredibly happy and relieved. Continuing on the positive note, the stitches in her foot are out following the operation and healing well, but unfortunately the crutches are staying around for a little while longer yet!

As Gavin reflects on his experience with cancer so far, talk soon turns to the vast array of people who have worked with him during his treatment. From consultants to CLIC Sargent, Gavin and his mum manage to draw up a hefty and detailed list of all the important people who have helped him along the way and at times, managed to take his mind off things. Gavin’s mum talks about the importance of giving blood and advises people to give it a go, whilst Gavin is busy testing the stress levels of the nurses! After finding out he is neutropenic and in need of another platelet transfusion, Gavin goes through some of the side effects of having low counts, one of the worst being no Chinese takeaways!

You simply can’t sit through an episode of Coronation Street these days without someone ringing you and disturbing the peace….as Mr. Peter soon discovers! A phone call from the hospital completely disrupts his evening television schedule as our favourite cartoon comedian finds out he has to go back to hospital. Looks like Come Dine With Me is off the agenda then. Once there, Mr. Peter has a Pic line put in and soon finds his precious locks falling out once more, which is a bit of a pain really seeing as he’s got a cut and blow dry booked in for next week! Sadly for Peter, an unwanted villain returns…and he’s more evil than ever…this time he’s trying to steal Debs….and the show! Will Brian pinch Mr. Peter’s fair maiden and take his place as our favourite cartoon host? Somehow, “The Brian Show” just doesn’t have the same ring to it!

Here’s some more events/activities coming up in Sheffield:

21st July – Street Magic Day (show and workshops)
6th August Air Acrobatics - for patients who’ve finished treatment
23rd August – Swim the channel - sponsored swim
27th August – TCTU Part in the Park - fun day of DJ’s, breakdancers, street magic, cirucs acts, percussion, and stalls raising awareness [...]

July 24th – Quad biking at the Adrenalin Jungle
Sept 1st – Pizza & Games night
Oct 17th –20th – Teenage Cancer Trust FYSOT conference at Centre Parcs
Nov 3rd – Complementary therapies
Dec – Christmas night out!
For more information contact Carol or Faye
on 0116 258 6905 or email
carol.irving@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
faye.j.wright@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

17th July 12pm onwards. Please e-mail deborah.holland@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
if you have footage to show Mark - keep those films coming!!!

The latest region to be added is Bristol.
Look out for their films in the near future.

In this truthful and informative film, as part of the Head Space series, former cancer patient Marina reminisces over the past few years and tells us about her experience with the illness and how it has changed her life, with work, family and friends being just some of the factors affected. Marina explains how her job as a chef, specialising in cake making and decorating, has been a comfort to her during hard times, never letting being ill stopping her from finishing that one last cake! We get a look at the scrummy cakes in question, as Marina shows us some of her personal favourites and proudly displays her Icing certificates. After finding out that she had a second tumour, we hear how difficult it was to take the news, when Marina explains how she felt as though her world had fallen apart as there were so many goals and dreams that hadn’t been achieved yet. She also tells us how worried she was when she feared her creative streak and passion for cakes may be subdued once treatment began and disruption set in. After showing us a masterpiece in progress i.e. Roary the racing car, Marina goes on to explain how this passion for her work and life has always been backed up by a strong support network, namely her religion, her family, friends and her spirituality.

From painting to pool and board games to bag making, you can always guarantee a good time in the London TCT day room! We get a tour of the room in question as well as a look at some craft making in action and interrupt a budding game of monopoly as patients and staff enjoy themselves with the fantastic facilities available. There’s just time for a sneaky peek of the young person’s cancer unit before its back to work….and time for another game of monopoly for everyone else!

In this honest and emotional portrayal of how watching a sibling go through cancer treatment can harbour all sorts of powerful thoughts and emotions, Tom describes, through the process of writing down his hopes and fears in a letter, how seeing his brother George being diagnosed for the third time has affected his life. Stating that sometimes he just wants to stay put and be with his friends as it gives him a feeling of normality, Tom admits to a whole host of feelings that he says he couldn’t talk about in person, as he finds it hard to find the right words at times. As well as talking about his brother, Tom explains how important his Mum’s presence in his life is and through a selection of personal and uplifting photos, documents the relationship they have as a family.