BBC Radio Scotland Highlands and Islands

Sick Kids at 150: Melissa's Story

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

19/07/2010

BBC Radio Scotland - Sick Kids at 150: Melissa's Story

The story of a 12-year-old lymphoma patient at the Royal Sick Children's hospital.

A 12-year-old lymphoma patient and her parents, doctors and other staff at the Royal Sick Children's hospital discuss the trauma of diagnosis and process of treatment.

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12 year old 'Melissa' was diagnosed with stage 4 B Hodgkin's lymphoma in October 2009. Melissa is not her real name...she chose it she says, because it's a name she doesn't like, recalling a very difficult time in her life. She and her parents, consultant oncologists, nurses and surgeon describe the trauma of diagnosis and the brutal treatment of this life-threatening cancer. 
The programme was commissioned by BBC Radio Scotland to celebrate the Royal Sick Children's Hospital's 150th birthday and for the first time on radio, on condition of remaining anonymous, this young patient and her family talk about the personal and private decision to undergo the procedure of ovarian harvesting before embarking on chemotherapy and radiotherapy which are most likely to cause ovarian failure.
Edi Stark talks to her gynaecologist and the director of Tissue Services where cortical strips of her ovaries are currently stored for possible use in the future when she wants to have family. 
Melissa's story was recorded over several weeks at her home, in the hospital ward and theatre, Edinburgh University and Tissue Services.

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