A day in the life... of a paediatric oncology clinical nurse specialist
Valerie Tomlin is a children’s cancer nurse at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.
Valerie Tomlin is a children’s cancer nurse at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.
Louise Campbell, 30, remembers how her parents tried to maintain some normality during her leukaemia treatment. As an expectant mother, she also explains how she now finds herself looking back on her own childhood with a different perspective.
Chloe Hunt was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2010. She describes the challenges she faced adapting to a ‘new normal’ both during and after treatment, and how she overcame them.
Dr Ed Cheeseman, Consultant Paediatric Pathologist and Chair of CCLG’s Biological Studies Steering Group, explains the difference between ‘normal’ cells and cancer cells, how the latter develop, and what they do to the body.
Sophie Angell, 15, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in November 2018. She tells us about her return to school, what she’s learned from her experiences and offers some advice to others.
The specialist learning mentor for the Medical Needs Teaching Service (MNTS) at Leeds Children’s Hospital (LCH), talks to us about his role supporting young cancer patients
Parents of children who have been diagnosed with cancer often have many questions surrounding schooling and education. Lucy Gwynne, Neuro-Oncology Lead Cancer Nurse Specialist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, explains more about what to expect.
Going back to school can be scary for both you and your child, but it’s important for their mental wellbeing. It helps them to feel ‘normal’ and lessens the isolation and loneliness which many children with cancer face. It gives structure to their day, a focus on the future and is where they can learn and develop social skills and make friends.
Penelope Hart-Spencer, Health Play Specialist at The Christie Hospital, tells us about the development of ‘Anna loses her hair’. The award-winning CCLG publication helps educate children on hair loss during cancer treatment.