Johan was 12 years old when he underwent a brain tumor treatment. Today he is 24 years old and well declared, but still has the effects of the treatment.
- After such a tough treatment you get many different side effects, late effects. I have so-called brain fatigue which means that I need to sleep very much every day and yet I struggle to cope with every day.
"It was like I forgot"
Brain fatigue means that it is difficult to concentrate for long periods and quickly becomes tired. When Johan came back to school after his treatment, he noticed that it was hard to cope with the school. He and the teachers also noticed that he could not perform in the same way as before.
- It was during some math tests in high school we noticed that I had zero points on all the tasks at the end of the test. It was like I had forgotten how to count.
Wanted to go back to school
Johan is not alone in having late effects of a brain tumor treatment as a child. Without the right help, this group will find it more difficult to manage in school. A new study from Stockholm University shows that almost a quarter of those treated for brain tumors as a child leave elementary school without upper secondary education.
When Johan became ill he wanted to return to school as soon as possible and after asking for it himself, he got the right help. Today he studies at KTH. He also lectures with the Children's Cancer Foundation about what it is like to be a survivor. He thinks that all child cancer survivors need the right help to manage the school.
- It is important that everyone get a chance to come back to life after we have been ill. That we can live for real.