Toby Dowling

Toby suffered a previously incurable kidney cancer when he was a baby. GOSH fought hard to treat the tumours with massive chemotherapy and 7 weeks of daily radiotherapy under general anaesthetic which finally defeated the cancer just before his 2nd birthday. Numerous other complications beset Toby and the little guy inspired everyone around him, including the doctors, with the way he kept fighting back and getting over such complex ill health. Over the years Toby's health gradually improved and we moved to live in Athens in 2002 and saw the Olympics there., In October 2008, after a nasty virus, Toby aged 12 went into sudden heart failure, resulting from the chemo. Whilst in the Onassis Heart Hospital he also suffered a stroke, giving him right side hemiplegia. Sadly he has been left with a damaged right hand and arm and some cognitive issues, although he is still very intelligent. I had to move him back to GOSH ostensibly for a heart transplant but the experts there have managed to improve it's condition, allowing Toby to live a normal life. Sadly, at the end of April 2011 he was admitted as an emergency to St Thomas' where he had a burst appendix, peritonitis and septicaemia, which has again left him very ill. However, even though he has been battling with depression, now that he is a teenager of 14, he still inspires those around him with his many victories against adversity. I would love to see Toby with something positive and exciting to look forward to in 2012.