Defeating Bone Cancer – a Story of Hope
Authors:
Hope Nightingale (20 yrs) is a cancer survivor, diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 5 yrs, and an undergraduate student in occupational therapy at Stellenbosch University
Yoshan Moodley is a Professor of Cancer Science at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University
No family can ever be prepared for the day when a potentially deadly diagnosis replaces the calmness and safety of everyday life.
For my family, it became a frightening reality just before my fifth birthday in April 2011, when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive type of bone cancer.
My cancer journey began when I was playing outside and I fell off my scooter. Unsurprisingly, I felt pain in my leg at the time of my fall, but the pain persisted for several days and became a concern for my parents. What then followed was a complicated series of medical tests and investigations. Afterwards, I was referred to a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in Cape Town, and a biopsy confirmed any parent’s worst nightmare – I had a potentially deadly bone cancer.
I was then transferred to the paediatric oncology ward at the Red Cross Memorial Children’s Hospital, where I would endure six months of chemotherapy.
I also underwent countless surgeries – the most complex being a procedure to save my leg that was affected by the cancer, which also involved a bone transplant from my healthy leg. These surgeries were not without trade-offs, as I would inevitably lose a large portion of my leg muscle and require significant physical rehabilitation.
Overcoming Insecurities as a Young Woman
Growing into a young woman, the biggest barriers that I have learnt to overcome are the insecurities and self-image struggles linked with the physical result of all my surgeries.
The scars and the missing muscle mass on my leg have changed the way I view my appearance.
Adjusting to my physical appearance was by no means easy, even though it has been years since my surgeries.
I have cried, felt immense frustration, and often grieved about what my life could have been if it had not been for my cancer.
However, through it all, I am grateful for the extensive love and support that has been given to me through my faith, family, friends, and medical team.
I am 20 years old now, in remission, and lead a regular life.
I have been extremely blessed throughout this journey, the fact that I can share my story is nothing short of a miracle and I am grateful to be able to do so.
I honor those who have lost the fight, those who have won the fight, or those who are only just beginning their cancer journey.
My experience has shaped me in ways that words cannot fully explain, and I continue to share my journey with gratitude and purpose.
CANSA Support for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)
Please reach out to our TLC support team, by emailing Anina Meiring ameiring@cansa.org.za should you need encouragement during treatment, or if you would like to meet other AYA cancer Survivors, and view helpful information on our AYA site.
