Rachel shares: ‘As a twelve-year-old, I loved sports, but suddenly, I started to feel a little tired and looking paler than normal. On June 19, 2008, my mom took me for a blood test. While I was home alone after the trip to the doctors, a man came to the door. He introduced himself as Dr. MacGillivray, called my parents, and then said in the kitchen, “I think she has leukemia.” I didn’t even know what that word meant. Within an hour, I was in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, which became my second home for a while.
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh
The first month was a whirlwind: I stayed in the hospital, received a port-a-cath, and started my first chemotherapy treatments. In total, the treatment lasted two and a half years. At first, I felt okay. Many visitors came with gifts, and I could eat whatever I wanted. My hair fell out, but I didn’t mind.
That changed later. I started feeling worse—tired, nauseous, infections, no appetite, and eventually needing a feeding tube. If my temperature rose above 37.2°C, I had to stay in the hospital for at least 48 hours.
Side Effects: Where Did They End?
In addition to nausea and vomiting, there were other side effects. The muscle in my left foot weakened, so I had to wear a brace. Painful mouth sores made eating impossible, and infections kept me isolated in my room.
After receiving vincristine and intrathecal methotrexate, I experienced stroke-like symptoms. Panicked, I was rushed to the emergency room. I couldn’t speak properly; I knew what I wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come out. This lasted for weeks. To this day, I still have some difficulty with fine motor skills in my hand.
Discovering Cancer Cells
Nothing stopped me from pursuing my goals. Normality began when my hair grew back and I could do the same things as my friends, I started to feel better. At school, I loved art and biology. I was still young and unsure of what I wanted to do, but those subjects definitely caught my interest. I learned more and more about cancer cells and eventually applied to study molecular biology at university. Later, I moved to Aberdeen to study immunology, one of the best experiences of my life.
‘When I completed my master’s degree, I wanted to do a PhD in leukemia, specifically in pediatric cancer. A position opened in Newcastle, and I was accepted. It felt amazing. After one year, I moved to the Netherlands to continue my project at the Princess Máxima Center. It was very exciting, but I had no idea what kind of life awaited me there.
‘A New Life’
When I moved to the Netherlands, I was 23. Fortunately, I already knew some people in the research group, which made the transition easier. The first few times I entered the Máxima, I was a bit overwhelmed. Memories came flooding back. At the same time, it was heartwarming to see children having fun. I think the way the Máxima is designed specifically for them is truly special.
I now work as a manufacturing specialist at the cell and gene therapy unit, producing specialized therapies for children with cancer. So much has changed and improved in both care and research. It’s rewarding to know that my work can truly make a difference. In the future, I hope to further develop my knowledge in the field of cell and gene therapy.
Looking Back
Although it didn’t feel like it at the time, it sometimes seems like everything happened for a reason. This might sound controversial, as not every child is fortunate enough to survive. But when I look back, I realize how everything fell into place, even though it didn’t feel that way in the moment. An experience like this can change your perspective on life, though I don’t feel like i need to live every day as if I need to embrace it. Life is full of successes and failures, and I realise my failures also shaped my life and I could not be happier with what I have now. I can never thank my family, the nurses, and the doctors enough for everything they have done for me.