Memories of Max - A Father's Story

Chapter 14 - Cancer Echoes

Paula had very visible and physical symptoms which could not be ignored. Their nature hinted at another case of Rhabdomyosarcoma. Sara did not know what to do and so went through the normal medical channels. She was referred to an unfamiliar local doctor who was less than helpful even though Sara explained our family history. He assured her that all was well but would not or could not explain Paula's symptoms. He was also very brusque and arrogant and left Sara extremely upset.

Sara was beside herself with worry and this was not helped by the fact that she had been unable to contact me. I went back to the family home to comfort her and to start making decisions.

All sorts of thoughts flooded back. There is a close connection between familial Rhabdomyosarcoma and maternal breast cancer. My worst and unspoken nightmares started to materialise. What if we were one of those families where the whole family is destroyed by cancer? It does happen.

I examined Paula but had no real idea of how to judge what I saw. I was very frightened because we had been right many times before.

I felt that I was dealing with a great unknown. I found that I was treading a tightrope which I couldn't even see. If Max's p53 test was positive then I would not have hesitated to get an instant referral to the Royal Marsden Hospital. I rang the Royal Marsden and asked for the result of Max's p53 test. It was negative.

Sara managed to get an appointment at the local Hospital and we took Paula in for examination. Before the consultation started I drew the doctor aside to tell him Max's history and explain the potential implications and our concerns. I expected hostility in venturing into his area of expertise but there was none. The doctor was marvellous. He said that he knew very little about childhood cancer and listened carefully to my words. He offered to ring the Royal Marsden Hospital immediately and to pass Paula on for referral. We declined. We asked him to perform his examination and providing some explanation for the symptoms could be found, then we would be satisfied.

He examined her and gave us the explanation we so desperately sought. All was well.

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