Lily Morris was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2022 aged 15. Now 16, she tells us about its impact on her GCSE preparations, and the support she’s received from her school and friends as she transitioned back into full-time education.
The day before my diagnosis, I’d been to A&E, but was sent home without having any tests, and told to come back if anything worsened. When I woke in the middle of the night being sick with bad headaches, I went straight down to a children’s A&E in Brighton. I was seen immediately, having blood tests and cannulas put in, before being moved to a ward.
That evening, the nurse who was looking after me asked my mum if my dad was able to come to the hospital and that’s when we knew something was really wrong. When he arrived, the doctors took my parents into a separate room, before they came back a few minutes later, crying. I was then told I had leukaemia.
My nurse answered all my questions, but I also couldn’t help but cry the whole time. I stayed in overnight and the next day I was transferred to St George’s in London, where chemotherapy started as soon as I arrived. I was there for six weeks and spent a lot of time in Brighton, too. I couldn’t go to school for six months, which meant I missed nearly the whole of year 10. Year 10 is the most important year of your education, getting ready for your GSCEs the following year. Losing that time meant being behind everyone else.
The first day back at school was very scary, but also very exciting as I got to see all my mates again for the first time in months. School felt very different, though. I was wearing a wig and had some people staring at me as they didn’t know about my diagnosis, so it did feel very weird at times. I started off by doing half-days and going home at lunch but thought that maybe I could start doing full days to try and catch up with all the things I’d missed. This went well, and as I’ve returned to school full time, I’ve managed to slowly catch up with everyone in my year.
My school supported me so much by letting me drop subjects I’d been finding difficult and by adjusting to my needs. My friends have also been a massive help during this incredibly hard time in my life. They’ve supported me by making sure I’m okay on the days where I don’t feel good, or on days where I’m having chemotherapy, they adjust plans to ensure they include me. For example, if we go out, they make sure that I don’t have to walk very far because I get tired quickly. They also make sure I’ve had my medication staying at their houses overnight and, in school, they make sure I’m feeling okay in myself. My medical team also support me in what I want to do in the future and always make sure I’m feeling okay. They’ve also helped by suggesting charities that could help me and my family with certain things, like getting extra help with schoolwork and with money.
My school supported me so much by letting me drop subjects I’d been finding difficult and by adjusting to my needs. My friends have also been a massive help during this incredibly hard time in my life.
I’m now taking my GCSEs and prepared for them with mock exams. They were all hard due to everything I
missed, but I gave it my best go and did well. If anyone’s in a situation like me at school, my advice is to do the same and give it your best. You don’t always need good results to go to college and you can always do your exams again.
I’m now looking forward to having the best time at my prom and then I want to go to college and do a hairdressing course. Things do get easier, and good things come to all people that wait. Don’t let anything stop you from living your best life.
From Contact magazine issue 103 | Summer 2024
