“I don’t take these moments for granted anymore” – Dad Robin reflects on Myla’s cancer journey this Father’s Day.
Little Myla Patton from Castledawson was just two and a half when she was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in April 2025. More than a year on, the lively three-year-old is back to doing what she loves most: playing and making memories with her twin sister, Georgia.
This Father’s Day, her dad Robin is reflecting on a journey no family ever expects to face and on the extraordinary courage his little girl showed every step of the way.
The strange symptoms that led to a devastating diagnosis
What began as pain in Myla’s right leg quickly became a worrying mystery. Despite repeated visits to the GP, where the symptoms were put down to a viral infection or an irritable hip, Robin and his wife Jayne knew something wasn’t right.
“Myla was hunching over and limping and the pain was much worse at night,” Robin recalls. “We were giving her Calpol and Nurofen and they helped a little, but things just weren’t improving.”
After taking Myla to several different A&E departments, and even after a few hospital admissions, initial tests failed to provide answers. But Jayne, drawing on previous experiences of cancer within the family, pushed for further investigations and an MRI. Before an MRI appointment could even take place, Myla’s condition worsened and she was transferred to Paul Ward in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, but even they appeared to be baffled by what the problem was.
“We were back in Antrim Hospital for the MRI, and when Myla came round from the anaesthetic, we just knew from the look on the nurses’ faces that something wasn’t right,” says Robin. “Very soon after, we were told they’d found a mass on her spine.”
The hours that followed passed in a blur, as Myla was quickly transferred to the Oncology Ward in the Royal in Belfast.
“I barely remember it. But as soon as we heard there was something there, our thoughts immediately went to Georgia. Could she have this too? Was she okay?”
Life in hospital- the new normal
Myla was sent for a biopsy, and it was at this point that the family received the devastating news from her Consultant, Dr. McCarthy that she had Ewing Sarcoma- a rare type of cancer more commonly seen in teenage boys.
“It didn’t feel real,” Robin says. “Suddenly Myla was being prepped for another general anaesthetic to have a central line and feeding tube inserted, and we found ourselves in a whole new world of treatment plans and medical jargon.”
Determined to protect their daughters from worry, Robin and Jayne tried to explain things in the simplest way possible.
“We told Georgia that Myla had a bump on her back and needed some special medicine. They were only two and a half, so everything had to be on their level.”
Throughout treatment, one person who made a huge difference was Play Specialist, Ellie and the wider play team, who helped prepare Myla for the procedures ahead.
“Myla absolutely loved Ellie, and so did we. The Play Team explained things like her feeding tube and her ‘Mr Wiggly’ line in a way she could understand. The entire team on the ward were incredible, especially the doctors and nurses. They welcomed Myla with open arms and were such a support to her and us, particularly when we had worries or concerns about her treatment. ”
Over the following months, Myla underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy. One round would reqire a two-night stay and the next would be five nights, and this alternated fortnightly depending on her blood counts. There were good days and bad days, and heartbreaking moments watching their daughter become weak and unwell, but Robin says Myla’s resilience never ceased to amaze them.
“She coped remarkably well. She was so resilient.”
Hospital life soon became routine. Robin and Jayne stayed by Myla’s side at all times and were grateful to have access to Paul’s House close to the hospital. But one of the hardest things was seeing the twins separated.
“Myla and Georgia missed each other so much. We Facetimed all the time and tried to involve Georgia as much as possible. And Georgia was able to come in with Myla to outpatients’ appointment in clinic which she really enjoyed. It was good for her to see what was going on so she could understand it and be part of Myla’s journey.”
Then came encouraging news. By August, Myla’s tumour had responded so well to chemotherapy that surgery was no longer needed. Instead, she would travel to Manchester for Proton Beam Therapy.
The family travelled on 16th September, the twins’ third birthday, with Myla and Robin taking a chartered medical flight and Jayne and Georgia following on a regular one.
“Having Georgia around gave Myla such a boost,” Robin says. “They were just so happy to be together again, having fun and playing with each other. Having Georgia there kept Myla active and she had more energy with Georgia there next to her.”
After completing an intense 30-day course of Proton Beam therapy, which involved being under general anaesthetic for each treatment, as well as continuing her chemo there too, we returned to Belfast and had the remaining three rounds of chemotherapy in the Children’s Cancer Unit. It was then that the family reached the milestone they had dreamed about since the beginning.
“On 23rd December, Myla rang the bell to signal the end of her treatment, and she got home for Christmas.”
Although there was another brief hospital admission to the Haematology ward in Belfast between Christmas and New Year, the family received the news they had been hoping for when follow-up scans in January showed no sign of active disease- just a tiny spec of scar tissue which the Consultant reassured the family was completely normal following the treatment.
“It was the best feeling after everything Myla had been through. Although Myla handled it so well for a child her age, I’d never want another family to go through it.”
At that point Myla continued to attend the Children’s Cancer Unit in Belfast for blood tests and physiotherapy, as well as spending time in the swimming pool rebuilding her strength and muscles.
A second MRI in April was completely clear, and Myla has now been moved to three-monthly scans.
Life today
Today, life looks very different. Apart from a minor setback with a chest infection involving a hospital stay during a family trip to Dundee, Myla is thriving.
“She’s a typical three-year-old,” says Robin. “She’s running around and trying to keep up with her sister. It almost feels like we’re in a ‘reconditioning phase’ where we’re figuring out what life should be like with three and half year-old twin girls.”
Robin and Jayne are enjoying seeing Myla’s confidence grow since finishing treatment. It’s also been a comfort to see Georgia’s confidence return, after it had become apparent just how much Myla’s diagnosis had affected her too, especially being separated from her parents and twin sister.
Both girls are looking forward to starting nursery school in September, while the family have plenty of adventures planned, including a Mediterranean cruise, a trip to Lapland and concerts and fun activities together.
“After last year, we’ve really learned that life is for living. We’re determined to make lots of happy memories together.”
The impact as a dad and dealing with emotions
Looking back, Robin admits he pushed his own feelings aside during Myla’s treatment, focusing on what was happening in the moment and on how he could best support Jayne, Myla and Georgia.
“I put my head down and hid a lot of my emotions. I didn’t want to accept any help as I felt like I needed to be strong for everyone else. I bottled everything up and this led to a lot of anger.”
Support from his employer and colleagues helped him through. When they organised a charity football match and a Ben Nevis climb, Robin decided he’d take part too. These events served as a distraction and Robin felt the benefit of some much-needed time away from hospital life and a chance to be part of conversations that didn’t involve cancer.
Since treatment for Myla finished and some level of normalcy has returned for the family, Robin credits joining the gym as a means of processing everything the family has been through.
“I’ve found it helps me deal with the anger I felt. That’s my way of getting my head around it all.”
Though naturally shy, Robin has also discovered that speaking openly about Myla’s journey has become part of his healing and he has even taken part in a radio interview, telling their story.
“I’m a pretty quiet person and don’t like talking in front of a big group or about my emotions to others. But talking about Myla and Georgia comes really easily. It brings me comfort and I’m always happy to share our story and raise awareness.”
Advice for other dads
If Robin could offer one piece of advice to other dads facing a similar journey, it would be simple.
“Take half an hour for yourself. Go for a walk. Grab a coffee and enjoy it without rushing back. There are always people there looking after your child and taking that little bit of time for yourself can really help.”
Father’s Day plans
As for Father’s Day itself, Robin isn’t interested in anything fancy.
“We’re going to watch Myla and Georgia perform in their ballet show and then we’ll go for something to eat. I’m just looking forward to spending a nice day with Jayne and the girls,” he says. “I don’t take those opportunities for granted anymore.”
