A FAMILY have told how they have been “through hell and back” after both their sons were diagnosed with cancer.
Their eldest Thomas Swan, 21, is battling a terminal brain tumour, while eight-year-old William has been having treatment for liver cancer since he was 21 weeks old.
Their mum, midwife Angela Swan-Dennis, said: “For a family to have to go through it once is unbelievable, to have to go through it twice, it's just terrible.
"It was heartbreaking when William was diagnosed with cancer. When we were told Thomas had it too we were just gobsmacked, we thought it couldn't be right.
"Our family have been through hell and back in the last eight years."
William received a new liver at 10 months old but continues to require medication and monitoring – including twice-yearly hospital check-ups – to make sure the transplant is functioning.
After a 5cm tumour was discovered on Thomas's brain in March, he told Angela: "I bet you never thought lightning would strike twice".
He underwent surgery to have the growth removed, but not all of it could be taken out.
Thomas, the eldest of five, is now receiving daily treatment at Nottingham’s City Hospital to slow its growth, but there is currently no cure.
He said: "[When I was told I had cancer] it was a bit surreal, it did not sink in to start with.
Source: Read Full Article
