Three months after being told she is cancer-free, a Newport teen who was diagnosed with bone cancer last year and underwent a torturous fourteen rounds of chemotherapy has expressed gratitude to the medical staff for their support during her treatment.
Last year, while studying for her GCSEs, 17-year-old Isabel Dockings experienced severe pain that kept her awake at night. In February 2023, it was discovered that she had a rare kind of bone cancer.
“Isabel’s diagnosis came as a complete shock; no parent expects to hear that their child has cancer,” Isabel Dockings’ mother stated.
After finding a lump at the top of her thigh, Danielle took Isabel to the local GP surgery who referred her to The Grange University Hospital. Several tests later, Isabel was given the diagnosis that it was Metastatic Ewing Sarcom, a rare form of bone cancer.
Danielle added: “Initially we were scared because we didn’t know if her cancer had spread and whether it would respond to treatment.”
The 17-year-old went through scans and treatment at multiple sites across South Wales, including 14 cycles of chemotherapy and six weeks of daily radiotherapy at The Grange University Hospital, Royal Gwent Hospital, Velindre Cancer Centre and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s University Hospital of Wales.
Danielle, said: “Within two-to-three cycles of chemo, Isabel’s pain drastically reduced and she gradually regained her ability to walk, so we knew the treatment was working.”
During treatment, Isabel felt too ill or tired to go on dog walks, spend time with friends or attend school. Her ability to move was also affected as she had to rely on crutches or a wheelchair to get around.
The tough times didn’t stop Isabel from staying positive.
She credits her network of family, friends, the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), and NHS staff for giving her the strength she needed to persevere.
“My worrying about it won’t change what’s going to happen,” Isabel remarked.
When friends visited, they brought baked goods for her, and one even raised thousands of dollars to support the TCT in appreciation for Isabel’s support.
“Everyone has been incredible,” she remarked. There’s no way I could ever express my gratitude to them. I was genuinely saved by them. I was treated like a regular person by them. They prevented cancer from identifying me. They identified with me,” she remarked.
Isabel received the all-clear and was declared to be in remission from her cancer in November 2023.
“It was good that all the health board systems worked well to get Isabel to the right person at the right time in the right place,” stated Dr. Jackie Abbey, an after-hours physician. Being a part of her journey was an honour.
