A mother from Newport has been thrust into a relentless battle as her three-year-old son, Teddy, faces an aggressive form of childhood cancer. Sarah Sloman, a pediatric nurse with two decades of experience, shared her harrowing journey on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, detailing the extensive treatments her son has undergone since being diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma just over a year ago.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/sarah-sloman-son-teddy-cancer-diagnosis-080726-96143852aa2f4dd18542ca1167babc1f.jpg)
Teddy has already endured a challenging regimen of medical interventions, including surgery, intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. The ordeal has proven to be an emotional rollercoaster for Sloman, who has found her professional insight both beneficial and burdensome. “Having cared for sick children throughout my career has been a blessing and a curse,” noted Sloman, reflecting on the haunting parallels between her past experiences and her current circumstances.
The strain of hospital life has also affected Teddy’s younger brother, Joey, who was born two months prematurely and is now merely 18 months old. Sloman expressed concern about how little time the family has spent together as a whole. “He’s barely known life with his mum and dad at home,” she lamented. Teddy’s health challenges have necessitated round-the-clock care and significant time away from their family home.
“Part of me has just gone into work mode,” Sloman explained, describing the situation as transforming into “24-hour shifts” focused on Teddy’s well-being. Despite the dark days, she finds hope in her son’s spirit. “He always wakes up with a smile on his face, and that’s what keeps us going—his strength and determination to beat this horrendous disease,” she said.
However, the path ahead is riddled with uncertainty. Teddy was being monitored for a maintenance drug called difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), which could significantly reduce the chance of relapse. Unfortunately, this clinical trial drug has been withdrawn from the NHS, leaving Sloman and her family grappling with limited options. “This is what is so difficult about our current situation; we have no definite answers at the moment,” she explained.
In a bid to secure Teddy the treatment he urgently needs, Sloman has launched a fundraising campaign, aiming to raise in excess of $300,000 for an alternative treatment not currently available in the UK. “We might be able to buy DFMO from America and have it imported here, but there are also vaccine trials in New York and a newer trial in Rome,” she remarked, outlining the potential routes they are exploring. Each option, however, comes with its own set of hurdles, including the requirement for medical teams abroad to accept them as patients.
As she navigates this challenging journey, Sloman has commenced efforts to assess which treatment path would be most appropriate for Teddy. “We’ve started the ball rolling for all three options, seeing which one we would be accepted for and which would be the best course of treatment,” she concluded.
The family’s plight resonates on a wider scale, as the lack of available treatments for children with rare cancers poses significant challenges. Sarah Sloman’s determination to fight for her son’s life demonstrates both a mother’s love and the increasing frustration faced by families in need of innovative medical solutions.
With the enormity of their situation weighing heavily, the Sloman family remains hopeful for a breakthrough. As Sarah continues her tireless efforts to fundraise and find a suitable treatment, the support from the community and beyond could make all the difference in Teddy’s fight against cancer.