Warrington woman helps raise awareness of rare cancer

A YOUNG Warrington woman attended a “once in a lifetime” charity event at No 10 Downing Street highlighting awareness for Sarcoma, a rare cancer of the bones and soft tissue.

Emma McCloskey, aged 30, was invited to the special reception by Sarcoma UK – who are No 10 Downing Street’s charity of the year, due to the fact that Chris Martin, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister passed away from the disease in 2015.

To mark this occasion Prime Minister Theresa May hosted a Sarcoma UK reception at 10 Downing Street, bringing together people who can help transform the landscape for sarcoma.

Emma attended, alongside carers, health professionals, scientists, researchers MPs, and supporters of Sarcoma including Sarcoma UK patron and double Paralympic Gold Medallist, Richard Whitehead MBE, who was awarded The Points of Light award by Theresa May.

Sarcoma is a cancer of the bones and soft tissue and research shows that people visit their GP more times than those with any other form of cancer before being diagnosed.The cancer is one of the least understood by the general public and GPs.

Commenting on the event Emma said: “I was amazed when I opened the envelope and saw I’d been invited to Number 10. I was so excited. Number 10 was far more impressive than I ever imagined – very luxurious and plush.

“I had a wonderful evening meeting others affected by sarcoma, talking to medical professionals, seeing Richard Whitehead again and obviously our Prime Minister herself. I loved hearing how Theresa May’s colleagues are fundraising for Sarcoma UK.

“They are doing things that our friends and families do – they are people like me and you, and they are all doing wonderful things to help people like me.

“Her speech about Chris Martin and sarcoma was very heartfelt and I was privileged to be there for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Emma was diagnosed in 2012 when she was looking forward to going to Thailand on holiday.

“I had a large lump on my right thigh (which was only noticeable when I tensed my leg) and was slightly concerned about taking a long flight. I visited my GP who immediately, instructed me to cancel my trip, and referred me to an Orthopaedic specialist. I started to worry at this point as I genuinely didn’t think it was anything serious. I had broken my big toe in April on my left foot and assumed that this leg was stronger as a result.

“The specialist conducted an MRI scan and rushed the results within three days for me. After the scan, the specialist confirmed that he could no longer care for me and referred me to the Sarcoma MDT at Liverpool where I was under the care of Dr Chandrasekar. I was sent for a biopsy, which confirmed that I had a soft tissue sarcoma, and required immediate surgery to remove the tumour. Prior to meeting Dr Chandrasekar I had been on the internet to ‘self-diagnose’ and sarcoma had popped up a few times so I had an idea what it was – although to hear an official diagnosis of something so rare was extremely shocking and upsetting.

“On 16th October I was admitted to Broadgreen hospital where Mr Chandrasekar successfully removed the tumour, along with 1 and ¾ of the muscles in my thigh. The vastus lateralis was completely removed and most of my intermedius muscle. The tumour was a whopping 7.7lb, was 31cms in length, grade 3 and the official diagnosis was a ‘Mixed Soft Tissue Sarcoma’. I stayed in hospital for six nights. The other patients in the room had knee/hip replacements and were up and walking about within 24 hours yet I was bed bound and couldn’t lift my leg – I was really upset at this but as a nurse pointed out “the other patients have had an improvement to their situation and felt better with their replacements….” After that I was a lot more positive and focussed on getting better.

“After I left hospital I had a leg brace and had to have physiotherapy treatment to help me gain movement in my leg. I was determined to get better and get my leg working so I could regain my independence. I was so dependent on my partner as I was housebound and was not able to drive and I really found this difficult.

“In December I started a six-week course of radiotherapy at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Clatterbridge is a 90 mile round trip from my house so this took up a lot of time, especially as the treatment was less than a minute each day! The staff were lovely and really accommodated me changing appointments etc due to the distance I had to travel. I only suffered side effects of the treatment with three days to go!! I had horrendous burns at the back of my leg and on my bottom, which made it extremely painful to sit down (ouch!) but this only lasted a week to ten days (and was only a small price to pay!)

“I had my first ’12 week’ check up on my lungs in January and it was all clear – fingers crossed for the rest!

“I started physio again once my burns had settled and am making great progress. I am driving (much to my partners despair!!) and I have gone back to work after five months absence.

“This experience has really changed me – I’m a lot more patient, understanding and caring. I live life to the full (even more than I did before!!) and am always looking for the next adventure!

“One thing that I did struggle with was talking about my illness, especially as I was confused, scared and so emotional, and had so many friends and family who wanted to know what was going on, so I wrote a blog.It’s had over 30,000 views so far and I have had other Sarcoma patients and carers etc contact me via this channel which has been so lovely.

“My Clinical Nurse advised me of a Sarcoma Support Group which I now help run.”

Emma’s blog can be read at https://dizzytix.com/