Childhood cancer survivor shares his story
“The tumour was hindering my brain fluid from going out my brain and was causing pressure. They inserted tubes into my head to drain the fluid. It was uncomfortable because I couldn't move,”
WHAT would have been just a normal game of touch rugby for Aidan Mileham and his friends, turned out to be a start to a journey of survival, hope and ultimately, inspiration for him.
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Mileham, who was 14 at the time, sustained a concussion during the match and had to be rushed to hospital. A month later, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent three operations, chemotherapy and radiation.
He is now a 21-year-old property agent and is leading a normal, healthy life despite a few minor post-operative issues.
As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness, Mileham spoke to Northglen News, in the hope that it will provide hope and motivation to someone fighting the same battle.
“After the concussion, I went to hospital as I been knocked out for five or six minutes. The X-rays show a concussion and nothing serious so I went home, but for several weeks I felt ill. When I look back, the concussion I experienced was a good thing because it brought on headaches, nausea and other symptoms which I could not ignore and I had to visit a doctor. That’s how I discovered I had brain cancer,” said Mileham.
After a few trips to the doctor, a specialist admitted Mileham in hospital where other scans and tests picked up that he had a tumour on his cerebellum.
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“The tumour was hindering my brain fluid from going out my brain and was causing pressure. They inserted tubes into my head to drain the fluid. It was uncomfortable because I couldn’t move,” he said.
Three surgeries later, the tumor was removed. It affected Mileham’s fine motor skills, vision and ability to walk but as time went by, and with rehabilitation, he was able to walk again and gained his sight improved.
He spent 38 days in hospital before being discharged and followed on with chemotherapy and radiation, as the entire tumour could not be removed during the operation.
“As much as chemo and radiation is this very scary thing for people, it really did help. Despite the side effects, I kept fighting through it. Pink Phoenix Cancer Foundation assisted financially towards my treatment. I then became a teen ambassador for them and attended many of their charity events.”
“I still have a double vision and a problem with balance, but the most important thing is that I am still alive. I lost a year of school but I did complete my schooling and went on to college. Now I have a job as a property agent. I want children, and their families, who are going through the same experience, to know that there is hope. You have to have a positive mindset and tell yourself that you will beat cancer,” said Mileham.
He advised parents to not ignore any pains or symptoms that their children experience, and to visit a doctor should they even notice or get a feeling that something is amiss with their child.
“Please listen to your children. The way my parents dealt with my situation was perfect. They heard my opinions and listened to my feelings. I was very young at the time, only 14-years-old and I had no idea what was happening but my parents support enabled me to have a better understanding and to get through it,” said Mileham.
