Jacob

Jacob’s story  

In January 2007, Jacob began to experience severe stomach pains which were thought to be caused by a stomach bug, virus or food poisoning. When the stomach pains were replaced by a limp which became excruciatingly painful, Jacob was admitted to his local hospital.  

Over a two-month period, Jacob was diagnosed with a septic hip and treated with antibiotics and painkillers. After being admitted to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, further scans discovered a large growth near Jacob’s abdomen. Jacob was subsequently diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, which meant his cancer had spread to distant lymph nodes, bone, and bone marrow. 

Jacob began his treatment with intensive chemotherapy which unfortunately had little effect on his cancer. To try and clear his bone marrow of neuroblastoma, Jacob received internal radioactive MIBG therapy at London University Hospital. This treatment was successful at targeting and removing large patches of neuroblastoma cells from his body, meaning he was able to receive surgery to remove his primary tumour. 

In December 2007, Jacob received a stem cell transplant. This was followed by the news in January that while Jacob’s bone marrow was clear, the treatment had not completely removed the cancer in Jacob’s bones. At this time, Jacob also had an infection in his Hickman line and a severe allergic reaction to the only antibiotic used to combat the infection. 

In February 2008, after further scans, it was thought that Jacob had had a late response to the chemotherapy, and he received surgery to remove his tumour. Further testing continued to show that Jacob’s bone marrow was free of neuroblastoma. Jacob was able to continue his treatment with high-dose chemotherapy, daily injections of the GCSF drug to stimulate his immune system, and a stem cell transplant. 

In May 2008, Jacob began a three-week course of radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Hospital, Merseyside, followed by a six-month course of oral chemotherapy. Throughout this treatment, Jacob’s biopsies showed that he was in remission. However, after a routine test in October, the family noticed two small lumps on Jacob’s neck. On 14th October 2008, doctors confirmed that Jacob’s cancer had relapsed and spread to his leg, pelvis, collar bone, lymphatic system, bone marrow and the original tumour site. He immediately started on a new course of chemotherapy which, unfortunately, didn’t have any effect and the cancer was spreading rapidly to new sites. 

With no curative treatment available for Jacob in the UK, the family discussed the possibility of taking him to America for treatment, however further tests showed that the neuroblastoma had spread into every part of Jacob’s body. At this stage, Jacob was too ill to travel anywhere.  

After a very brave battle, Jacob passed away on 9th January 2009 in the arms of his devastated parents. 

_{Donations made in loving memory of children} 

_{Funds raised in loving memory of Jacob will be used to support other children like Jacob and their families through Solving Kids' Cancer UK's activities. Any funds raised through a previous fundraising campaign for access to treatment which were not spent on the child's treatment and pastoral needs are used to support other children and families through Solving Kids' Cancer UK's activities.}