Beyond Chemotherapy: The Hidden Battles Childhood Cancer Brings
- dellanienash9
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
On Monday, 13th October 2025, Maya had a physiotherapy appointment at The William Harvey Hospital. The initial reason for her referral was knee pain—something that, thankfully, has now resolved. So naturally, the physiotherapist said she was ready to discharge Maya.
But as any parent of a child with cancer knows, recovery isn’t that simple.
I gently explained that Maya’s challenges go beyond knee pain. Years of chemotherapy have left her with weakness in her limbs and stability issues caused by her tendency to walk on tiptoes. These are not things that disappear overnight—and certainly not things that a simple discharge can fix.
When I raised this, the physio explained that she doesn’t write a report until discharge, but offered to refer Maya to a community physiotherapist instead. Ironically, that’s the same service at The Beacon (Park Farm) that had previously discharged her far too quickly.
So for now, we make do with what we can. The physio kindly circled a few exercises from the “fizzy” program that would benefit Maya. We’ll start simple—just balancing on one leg, standing on her own without anyone supporting her.
She also recommended a few activities to help rebuild Maya’s strength and stability:
Using a wobble cushion while catching a ball or playing basketball.
Following Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube.
Doing stairs exercises to strengthen her legs.
Using a static bike for gentle movement and endurance.
These might sound like ordinary exercises for an ordinary child—but for Maya, they’re steps toward reclaiming the everyday abilities that cancer quietly takes away.
People often think chemotherapy is the whole story of childhood cancer. But in truth, alongside chemotherapy, another fight begins—the one to rebuild what the cancer treatment has taken. Strength, balance, coordination, stamina… all the invisible skills that most of us take for granted.
Maya’s next physiotherapy appointment is on Monday, 24th November at 4pm—the same day as her EHCP review. Another busy day in a life that’s anything but ordinary.
Because healing from childhood cancer isn’t just about killing cancer cells. It’s about helping a child live fully again.
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