Haddington teenager Archie Hamilton diagnosed with bone cancer

Archie Hamilton was thought to have suffered a sports injury but a shock diagnosis last month confirmed he had Ewing sarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer.

The Haddington 15-year-old is undergoing nine months of chemotherapy before starting radiotherapy next year.

Seven years ago, Archie’s younger sister, Nancy, now 13, was diagnosed with dystonia, a highly variable neurological movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions.

The progressive condition means Nancy’s mobility is affected and she has lost her speech.

Mum Lyn told the Courier: “This along with Archie’s diagnosis four weeks ago – almost three weeks of that spent in hospital – is all extremely overwhelming.

'Dark times ahead'

“Along with a barrage of information thrown at us, a lot of which we have yet to digest, has taken us to very dark places and we have had to have extremely difficult discussions with our 15-year-old son, which is just utterly heartbreaking and devastating.

“I think we will have to just take one day at a time and try to keep laughing and smiling when we can as I am sure there will be some extremely dark, difficult times ahead.”

Lyn, who runs Wee Red Upcycles, on Haddington’s Church Street, said both she and husband Robin, head of services at The Action Group, which helps children and adults with additional support needs, were “extremely proud” of Archie, Nancy and youngest child, Murin, 10.

She added: “As a parent you never want any of your children to be ill – to have two children with rare conditions and go through so much is heartbreaking and is any parent’s worst nightmare for sure.”

Archie, who is in S4 at Knox Academy, is a keen rugby player and initially it was thought that the pain in his back was due to a sports injury or growing pains.

However, the pain reached such an extent that he was struggling to complete his paper round or even walk.

Doctors initially thought it could have been sciatica but an MRI scan showed a tumour on the base of his spine.

Intensive chemotherapy

Lyn, 45, said: “His cannot be operated on as it’s intertwined with nerve endings.

“His treatment will be 14 cycles of intensive chemotherapy every other week for at least nine months.

“This means we will be in the hospital every second week and probably even those weeks we think we will be home, as his temperature can spike with infections or low bloods, resulting in blood transfusion which will happen.

“After the chemotherapy, he will undergo a regime of radiotherapy, which will happen in Manchester.

“At this time, we believe the cancer hasn’t spread but, ironically, chemotherapy can cause cancer and the unpredictable nature of Archie’s cancer means there are no certainties with his treatment.

“He’s due to have gastronomy surgery in the coming weeks for a feeding tube – Nancy also has had this surgery and has a feeding tube.

“This will help him get nutrition when he is too sick to eat.”

The family, who live on Haddington’s Abbots View, have been tackling the diagnosis head on.

Lyn and Robin Hamilton have shown their support to son Archie, who has been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma bone cancer, by shaving their heads

Lyn and Robin, who has coached youngsters at Haddington RFC, joined Archie in having their heads shaved and raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

The charity funds research, raises awareness of the disease, provides patient information and provides support services.

Within just two days, more than £3,500 had been raised.

Comments on the online fundraising page include: “I can’t actually believe that I’m reading this.

“I’m so sorry your beautiful family are going through this. Sending huge love and any help if you need anything at all”.

And also: “Devastated for you and your family. Hope you find the strength to stay strong through this difficult time.”

Since then, a family friend has set up an online fundraising appeal to support the family during the tough times, with more than £3,000 raised.

'No words to express our thanks'

Lyn added: “We have been inundated with requests from people asking if they can fundraise or set up a Justgiving page for us.

“A good friend of ours, Zoe Leitch – and mum to one of Archie’s good pals, Rory Leitch – set up a Justgiving funding page to elevate some practical stress.

“We are very grateful and humbled by the generosity of people, some of whom we don’t know, especially in these challenging times with the cost-of-living and energy crises. There are just no words to express our thanks.”

Lyn said that Nancy had a neurological condition called dystonia, “with a rare gene mutation of KMT2B”, meaning that her condition is very unpredictable.

“There is no cure and it is progressive, meaning she will deteriorate more as she gets older, but no one knows to what extend and when,” added Lyn.

In the summer of 2015, the family held a special ‘Toddle Walk’ to raise money to create a special sensory garden and play area – Nancy’s Garden – at the family home.

'Huge thank you'

Leah Holmes, regional relationship manager at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the incredible Archie, Lyn, and Robin for taking part in the Bone Cancer Research Trust’s Lifeshavers campaign.

“It is only thanks to generous supporters like Archie and his family that our vital work can continue.

“We hope this means that, one day, people like Archie will not have to face primary bone cancer.

“We wish Archie all the very best for his treatment.”

To support the Bone Cancer Research Trust fundraiser, go to justgiving.com/page/archiesheadshave or to support the family, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/zoe-leitch

Go to bcrt.org.uk for more about the charity.