Chapter 4 - Treatment

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“Well when does that reach the biggest number?”

“It doesn't, it just goes on and on and on.”

We tried it out. He would name a number and I added one and after a while he got the hang of it.

“That's amazing. I mean you think they must stop but they don't, they keep going.”

With Max's second cancer we started at about 60% chance of survival. The new tumour had two main forms. One had a 60% chance of survival, the other was much lower, and at that time it was about 30%. Sara and I spent a week trying to get to grips with the fact that he had developed a new cancer when it was discovered that the disease had spread to his spine.

Within three days he was unable to walk because his vertebrae were crumbling. This had become apparent because when he walked he was bent at ninety degrees like a little arthritic old man.

Percentages again. I saw the consultant alone because Sara was not at the hospital.

“So what are the percentages for Max's survival now? 20%? 10%?”

“I don't think that talking percentages is very helpful. At the end of the day the percentages are meaningless. What matters is whether or not Max survives. Some children make amazing recoveries, some fall by the wayside when we've given them a good chance of survival. You need to think positively and ignore the numbers.”

Still I persisted. It is only with hindsight that I realised the futility of my actions.

“OK, I understand that, but if you were to give a number what would it be.”

He did not answer.

“5%?”

“Yes, possibly somewhere in that area.”

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