Back in May of this year, Toby’s world was turned completely upside down and his life changed forever. Initially complaining of back ache, Toby was taken to the doctor’s and was referred for physiotherapy.

 

A couple of weeks later, whilst walking downstairs Toby began struggling to stand and started falling over – his condition rapidly deteriorated and within a short space of time Toby had completely lost control of his lower body and was rushed to Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

 

An emergency MRI scan revealed a previously undetected tumour, which had developed in and around Toby’s spinal cord and spanned two thirds of the length of his spine. He was immediately blue-lighted to the John Radcliffe Hospital for specialist attention and the surgeons there took the decision to perform emergency surgery. This would involve taking sections of vertebrae from Toby’s spine to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord.

 

Once in theatre, it was immediately apparent that the extent of the tumour was far worse than the scan had previously indicated, and that the surgeons would have to work carefully to remove as much of it as possible. After a gruelling 8-hour operation, they had removed 70% of the tumour, but felt that the remaining 30% was too risky to touch.

 

Since the operation, Toby has spent 2 months’ rehabilitation in hospital, and has defied the original long-term prognosis that he would never regain the use of his legs. His hard work and determination combined with the excellent care of the hospital staff, has seen Toby gradually rebuild his strength, to the extent that he can now use crutches to move short distances. Nevertheless, when he’s out and about he is predominantly reliant on the use of a wheelchair for mobility.

 

Toby will continue to receive regular scans from the Great Western Hospital Oncology Team, to monitor the tumour’s growth and assess the need for additional cancer treatment at the appropriate time.

 

Whilst his mobility has improved with the help of the physiotherapists and occupational therapists he is working with, Toby has now reached the top of his physical abilities. The next stage of his continuing rehabilitation is about helping Toby to adapt to his new way of life, whilst helping him to maintain and build his physical and mental strength.

 

Before Toby’s cancer was discovered, he was extremely active and loved sports, especially rugby, running and PE – generally rushing around at 100 miles an hour! What Toby really wants is to be as active as possible and he has expressed a particular interest in wheelchair rugby, which would enable him to play a variation of the sport he loves so much. To enable him to play, Toby needs a specialised sports wheelchair designed for the purpose, as the chair that he uses every day is not strong or maneuverable enough.

 

We need your help to raise the money needed to buy Toby his sports wheelchair, specialist  equipment and future therapy treatments needed. Any contributions would be amazing and will help give Toby the ability to play sport once more.