Graeme Porter, 20, from Aberdeen, has Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer that can occur in bone and surrounding tissue. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy to prolong his life
A student faced a devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer at just 19, after experiencing three alarming symptoms while at university.
Graeme Porter, who is now 20 and battling Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bones and surrounding tissue, was studying law at the University of Edinburgh when he first noticed something was wrong.
Despite the grim prognosis, Graeme, from Aberdeen, is on a mission to raise awareness and share positivity for as long as he can.
Pain
Graeme, currently relying on chemotherapy to extend his life, shared: “I noticed while I was sleeping or sitting that pain would start in my lower back, roughly where my spine is. This pain could be constant or it came and went and it ranged from mild to severe pain.”
The American Cancer Society confirms that most patients with Ewing tumours will feel pain in the area of the tumour, often worsening at night, which aligns with Graeme’s experience.
Weight loss
In addition to the pain, Graeme shockingly lost between three and four stone within a mere five weeks, spanning from the Easter break until his return home from university.
MedicalNewsToday highlights that such rapid weight loss is another symptom of this rare cancer, predominantly affecting individuals aged 10 to 20. It advises anyone experiencing unexplained weight loss to consult a doctor immediately, reports Bristol Live.
Tiredness
The third symptom that raised alarm for Graeme was fatigue, a common issue among those suffering from Ewing sarcoma, adding to the challenges he faces while fighting this aggressive disease.
Graeme opened up about his battle with a rare cancer, sharing that fatigue was a major symptom he faced: “Tiredness was also a thing. All of these amounted to me struggling to do daily activities which started to affect my daily life.”
The NHS acknowledges that while some individuals with Ewing sarcoma may not exhibit any symptoms, severe tiredness can occur, though it’s less common than pain in the affected area.
Diagnosis
When Graeme’s mum rushed him to A&E in May 2023, they had no clue about the gravity of his situation. Initially suspected to be kidney stones, a biopsy conducted the next month disclosed a grim reality – Ewing sarcoma in his lower spine, accompanied by a ten-centimetre mass that had spread to his lungs.
Recalling the harrowing diagnosis, Graeme said: “You hear about young people going through cancer but you never expect it to be yourself. My parents and myself felt like we were shoved in the deepest ocean. Also being told your child is incurable, my parents broke down. My mum rushed out the room with a breakdown and I sat in silence, luckily we had some other relatives with us.”
From July to January, Graeme endured 14 cycles of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy. Now facing palliative care, he continues his fight with Ifosfamide, a chemo drug designed to halt the division and growth of cancer cells.
When pressed about his remaining time, he shared: “We are not too sure on a time frame. The chemo is doing its job so hopefully prolonging any time frame. Once the treatment options run out, and there are a few more to go afterwards, that is it really.”
Spreading positivity
Despite his dire situation, Graeme’s response has been incredibly positive. He spreads hope through his TikTok account, encouraging followers to join live streams and engage with him in Q&A sessions, and now aims to “help other people see a positive light.”
On the significance of maintaining a positive outlook, he mentioned: “I would love to show people that cancer does not define me. Being told I have at worst a few days at best if my palliative chemo didn’t work was a surreal moment that made me want to live everyday like it could be my last.”
Last wish
Following an impactful first live stream on TikTok that attracted an audience of 35,000, Graeme’s friend, Lily from Leicester, coordinated with his mother to initiate a GoFundMe campaign.
The fundraiser’s goal is to gather enough funds to fulfill Graeme’s childhood dream of visiting Australia. He told BristolLive, full of gratitude: “It has been one of my childhood dreams to go visit Australia and see what the other side of the world has to offer. I am very thankful to the support that has happened so far.”
You can make a donation to the GoFundMe here, to help make his last wish come true
