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Abbie's story told by her father Rick freeman

In December 2006, at the age of 10, our daughter Abbie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (an aggressive form of bone cancer) in her right knee at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham. We had no idea at that time what a devastating effect this was to have on our family.

She began a course of chemotherapy at Queens Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham straight away, which meant that most weeks she was confined to a hospital ward and only allowed home at weekends. The side effects of this treatment began to take their toll with her losing her hair and her health deteriorating generally. In February 2007 Abbie went back to the ROH for an operation to remove her cancerous knee and femur from her right leg and replace them with an internal titanium prosthesis. Having a positive attitude and keeping her sense of humour she made a good recovery from this operation but then had to return to the harsh chemo regime until August 07 when we were delighted to see her finish this treatment.

Abbie adjusted to living with her ‘bionic’ leg and family life retuned to relative normality with regular trips back to both ROH and QMC for check-ups. During this time Abbie was able to return to school where, despite all she had endured and missing the majority of her first year in secondary school, she was still able to be amongst the best performing pupils in her year group. We were able to enjoy a couple of family holidays and were convinced that Abbie had overcome this awful disease. Then, in July 08, during a routine check-up our worst fears were realised when a tumour was found on Abbie’s right lung.

Once again Abbie was put back on chemotherapy and in October 08 an operation was carried out remove the tumour and surrounding area of the lung. The chemo then continued until New Years Eve and she was released from hospital full of hope that this time she really had defeated the Osteosarcoma.

Unfortunately this was short-lived as after having pain in her left ankle, it was discovered that the cancer had now reappeared in her left fibula. An operation was carried out at the ROH in April 10 to remove this bone and, true to form, Abbie managed to bounce back yet again surprising everyone. From the scans that were taken shortly afterwards it was found that two more tumours had now shown up on Abbies lungs. Again Abbie endured yet more surgery at QMC in May 09 to remove these latest tumours.

As Abbie’s body was no longer able to withstand any more chemo she began a course of radiotherapy at Nottingham’s City Hospital which involved daily round trips of nearly 60 miles. However, Abbie’s left knee became badly swollen and it was decided that the radiotherapy was ineffective and the only course of action left was for this leg to be amputated above the knee. In June 10 this operation was carried out at the ROH.

Despite all she had been through Abbie remained positive and was determined that she would walk again. After being fitted with a prosthetic left leg (in addition to having the internal prosthesis in her right) she achieved this in August 10.

It was during her physiotherapy sessions that Abbie began to notice pain in her lower back and after more scans it was confirmed that the cancer had now taken hold in her lumbar vertebra causing her spine to collapse. She was rushed into QMC in October 10 where the spinal team operated to remove the cancerous bone and reinforce her spine with metal plates and rods.

Despite our wishing for a miracle it was obvious that Abbie was not able to continue her valiant battle for very much longer. Her consultant informed us that further tumours had been detected on Abbie’s lungs and due to their proximity to her heart there was nothing more that could be done.

On the 26 October 10, Abbie returned home from QMC for the last time. Now confined to her bed and in increasing pain she was visited daily by the Diana Nursing Team from Leicester who helped us care for her in her final days. On Friday 10 December 10, exactly a month after her 14 birthday, Abbie passed away peacefully with our family at her bedside.

The gap that Abbie has left can never be filled and all those that knew or even met her couldn’t help but be touched her warmth, happiness and infectious giggle. To watch how she courageously battled for four years makes us so very proud and we feel blessed to have been able to share her short life.

It is in Abbie’s memory that I’ve decided to take part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. As well as raising awareness of the bone cancers that can affect children they also contribute a great deal to the quest to find a cure for these horrendous diseases.

We were just a normal family and Abbie was a beautiful, healthy little girl but this awful disease was a bolt out of the blue that could affect any family. No child should ever have to endure the pain and suffering that Abbie went through.

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