Introduction. Me in Lanzarote October 2000 on a holiday with my Mum, Dad, Brother Mark and Grannie

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1 Introduction This is a short story of my journey through cancer. I will tell you briefly what happened while I was going through my journey and also how I felt during this time I hope that reading this will give you a better idea of what going through such a deadly illness is like. I also hope that you enjoy reading my story Me in Lanzarote October 2000 on a holiday with my Mum, Dad, Brother Mark and Grannie

2 My Story from the Beginning Back in February of this year (1999) I began to experience realy bad stomach pains. They were so painful that three GP s came to examine me. Each one saying that there was a different thing wrong with me. By the time the third GP came out to see me the pain was so bad that they said I would need to go to our local hospital (North Tyneside General Hospital to have various tests and examinations done to try to put a name to my symptoms. After being examined I was told that I would be kept in overnight for observation The next day I had an Ultrasound scan and an x-ray to see if they could find out why I was getting the severe pains and also why I was continually being sick. The ultrasound showed that there was a blockage in my bowel and it would have to be removed by surgery. Later on that night I was taken down to the theatre to have the blockage removed ( which was thought to be a kink or a trist) The Surgeon who did the operation found that it was not a kink or a twist that was causing the blockage it was a Tumour. Two days later I was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where they have a particular ward for children with Cancer. Only when the Tumour came back from the biopst and that the consultant found out that the tumour was cancerous could they deceide what kind of treatment I would be given to treat the cancer. A few days later the doctors discovered that my scar from recent operations was infected and that the only way that they could clear it was by opening the scar up. A date was set for doing this and when I went down to the theatre they decided to put my hickman line in as well. After the operation had been done I then had to get my open wound which was the size of the width of my stomach and as deep as a pencleaned and dressed daily. Whilst this was being done I listened to my favorite CD which was step 1. The nurse that did my dressing every day loved the CD so much that they both went out and bought it. I had a tickets to go and see my favorite band Steps back in march this year when they played at the city hall which is in Newcastle s Town Centre. I was also realy privalaged to meet three members of the band Faye, Lee and Claire. All tree of them were lovely and when they were on stage Faye kept waving and blowing kisses to me which made me feel very special.

3 With Faye from Steps and my Cousin Adele back stage at Newcastle City Hall March 2000 I feel that meeting Steps gave me a real boost and helped me get through my second operation and the rest of my treatment always with a smile. The outcome of my second operation was amazing; better than anyone thought it would be. The surgeon who performed the second operation was expecting to find little pieces of the tumour which had been left from the first operation. In actual fact there was not a single bit of tumour there. When I had recovered from the operation I was given an extra nine Chemo s just to make sure that all of the tumour had gone. I finished my treatment back in October 2000 and have gote a big celebration party planned for December. I had also got another ticket to go to see Steps and another chance to meet them. This time will be even more special than the last time because I am much better now and will enjoy every moment of the entire concert and will also be able to dance to the songs this time as I have not got an open wound this time. Me on holiday in Ibiza 2000

4 At my party in December some of the Doctors and Nurses had agreed to do a Steps song of my choice and they are also doing the dance routine as well. The song I have chosen is the No1 hit Tragedy. Me receiving my Brave Heart with some of the children and teenagers from ward 16 in 2000

5 My Feelings When I first got diagnosed with cancer I was really shocked as you never think that anything like this will ever happen to yourself or close member of your family. Although I was upset and worried I also felt happy and relieved that it was me that had cancer and not my Mum, Dad or Mark. During my journey through cancer I also had other fellings and emotions to, such as being scared of operations and also of loosing my hair due to Chemotherapy, even though I didn t because this was not one of the side effects of the Chemo I was given. When I think of this now I was silly to be scared of this because it was such a small token to pay in comparison to loosing your life. Right from the beginning myself and my family knew that everything would be OK and had a real positive attitude throughtout my journey and now we can all safely say that everythig has turned out well in the end. Me and Mum dancing and on a boat trim in Lanzarote 2000 Me and Mum dancing and on a boat trim in Lanzarote 2000

6 Special Thank You s I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Doctors and Nurses who have not only made me better but also have supported myself and my family throughout. You are all marvelous people and are a huge credit to the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital. Also a huge thank you to Steps who have helped me to get through my treatment always with a smile. Ann most of all to a very very special Mum, Dad and younger Brother Mark who were with me all the way. You are all such special people and are all something that words cannot describe. Ilove you all with all my heart. Thank you. Sars Hoburn aged 15 years old... Me with some of my friends celebrating my 16th birthday

7 Me swimming in the sea Ibiza 2000 Me in Halkidiki Greece with my best friend Joanna and special Cousin Kaye and Adel

8 Me and mum in Lanzarote October 2000 Update The above story was completed by Sara while she was having her treatment at the RVI on a PC in the Teenage Cancer Unit. Sara never knew what lay ahead of her. She relapsed on her return from a family holiday in Lanzarote 2000 and passed away in our arms at home in Whitley BAy on 16th January Her last words were sorry Dad Thankfully she did have her celebration party and the staff of the RVI joined her on the dance floor for Tragedy She also celebrated her 16th Birthday in style with her friends and enjoyed three family holidays in The second meeting with Steps never happened as Sara was rushed to Intensive Care Unit with Pneumonia, Sara gave her tickets to one of her best friends Emily Casson. Julie went along to the concert and asked the band to sign the cover of Saras Story. They were extremely touched. Ged Hoburn Sara s Dad March 2013.