Nineteen-year-old James, who lives with his parents in Tring, with an older brother currently away at university, has been receiving physiotherapy at the Hospice since January 2020 following his diagnosis of Leukaemia, a blood cancer, in April 2019.
We caught up with him to learn more about what he thinks of the Hospice. “The support from the Hospice has been great and I feel as if I’ve made really good progress this year thanks to all the help and encouragement I’ve had from my physiotherapist Priya.
Prior to his illness, James was a keen sportsman playing tennis for Tring Tennis Club, table tennis for Tring and Milton Keynes clubs, for the county and in the National Junior League, as well as football. His goal was to get back to his exercise and sport as soon as possible. Priya says, “We started with a graded exercise programme, very slowly initially, as James’ exercise tolerance was low and we built up gradually. Eight months down the line, James is now back playing tennis and running regularly. His exercise tolerance and muscle strength have really improved.”
A student at Tring School, James had been studying A Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Geography. “I was about to sit my A Levels but had been struggling for a while with severe back and neck pain and fatigue which had prompted me to visit my GP.” Initially James and his family were told his pain could be growing pains or due to his posture so he was referred for physiotherapy. When there was no improvement however, further tests were done and it was then he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. “I was in the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, as an inpatient for a total of 12 weeks, where I underwent intensive chemotherapy, radiation treatment and eventually a bone marrow transplant in August 2019.”
In the months that followed, James also developed Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) where his donor cells were attacking his own, leading to pain and inflammation in his throat and gastrointestinal tract. This lead to a drastic 9 kg loss of weight.
James’ mum, Christine, adds, “The continuity of care at the Hospice has been really good. We have had Priya’s support throughout James’ time here. We were impressed with the adaptations during the lockdown period too. We started James’ sessions in the Spring Centre, then via Zoom calls at home and now we are outside in the beautiful grounds of the Hospice!”
As well as keeping busy with his studies, James had begun playing table tennis again. “I had just got back to playing when the lockdown struck!” James explains. “I can’t wait to get back and now that I am feeling stronger I am eager to compete again.” His eating has also improved, his favourite meal being steak and chips!
Recent scans have meant ongoing treatment for James. Priya and the whole of the Hospice team continue to be right here supporting him, helping him to live his precious life well.
Prior to his illness, James was a keen sportsman playing tennis for Tring Tennis Club, table tennis for Tring and Milton Keynes clubs, for the county and in the National Junior League, as well as football. His goal was to get back to his exercise and sport as soon as possible. Priya says, “We started with a graded exercise programme, very slowly initially, as James’ exercise tolerance was low and we built up gradually. Eight months down the line, James is now back playing tennis and running regularly. His exercise tolerance and muscle strength have really improved.”
A student at Tring School, James had been studying A Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Geography. “I was about to sit my A Levels but had been struggling for a while with severe back and neck pain and fatigue which had prompted me to visit my GP.” Initially James and his family were told his pain could be growing pains or due to his posture so he was referred for physiotherapy. When there was no improvement however, further tests were done and it was then he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. “I was in the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, as an inpatient for a total of 12 weeks, where I underwent intensive chemotherapy, radiation treatment and eventually a bone marrow transplant in August 2019.”
In the months that followed, James also developed Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) where his donor cells were attacking his own, leading to pain and inflammation in his throat and gastrointestinal tract. This lead to a drastic 9 kg loss of weight.
James’ mum, Christine, adds, “The continuity of care at the Hospice has been really good. We have had Priya’s support throughout James’ time here. We were impressed with the adaptations during the lockdown period too. We started James’ sessions in the Spring Centre, then via Zoom calls at home and now we are outside in the beautiful grounds of the Hospice!”
As well as keeping busy with his studies, James had begun playing table tennis again. “I had just got back to playing when the lockdown struck!” James explains. “I can’t wait to get back and now that I am feeling stronger I am eager to compete again.” His eating has also improved, his favourite meal being steak and chips!
Recent scans have meant ongoing treatment for James. Priya and the whole of the Hospice team continue to be right here supporting him, helping him to live his precious life well.
Prior to his illness, James was a keen sportsman playing tennis for Tring Tennis Club, table tennis for Tring and Milton Keynes clubs, for the county and in the National Junior League, as well as football. His goal was to get back to his exercise and sport as soon as possible. Priya says, “We started with a graded exercise programme, very slowly initially, as James’ exercise tolerance was low and we built up gradually. Eight months down the line, James is now back playing tennis and running regularly. His exercise tolerance and muscle strength have really improved.”
A student at Tring School, James had been studying A Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Geography. “I was about to sit my A Levels but had been struggling for a while with severe back and neck pain and fatigue which had prompted me to visit my GP.” Initially James and his family were told his pain could be growing pains or due to his posture so he was referred for physiotherapy. When there was no improvement however, further tests were done and it was then he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. “I was in the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, as an inpatient for a total of 12 weeks, where I underwent intensive chemotherapy, radiation treatment and eventually a bone marrow transplant in August 2019.”
In the months that followed, James also developed Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) where his donor cells were attacking his own, leading to pain and inflammation in his throat and gastrointestinal tract. This lead to a drastic 9 kg loss of weight.
James’ mum, Christine, adds, “The continuity of care at the Hospice has been really good. We have had Priya’s support throughout James’ time here. We were impressed with the adaptations during the lockdown period too. We started James’ sessions in the Spring Centre, then via Zoom calls at home and now we are outside in the beautiful grounds of the Hospice!”
As well as keeping busy with his studies, James had begun playing table tennis again. “I had just got back to playing when the lockdown struck!” James explains. “I can’t wait to get back and now that I am feeling stronger I am eager to compete again.” His eating has also improved, his favourite meal being steak and chips!
Recent scans have meant ongoing treatment for James. Priya and the whole of the Hospice team continue to be right here supporting him, helping him to live his precious life well.
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