My name is Katie. At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, here's my story. I had been having pain in my knee for 4 - 5 years, I went to my GP for the first time about my knee in January 2004 and he referred me directly to physio without doing any tests or x- rays, I tried that physio for about a year but due to moving house and the exercises not doing a thing I gave up. The pain was still getting worse so yet again I went to my GP who again referred me to physio in August 2005 (yet again without any tests) and was told basically to do the same exercises, which I stuck at for another year but again gave up due to moving house and stuff, plus it was still getting worse not better. Over Christmas 2006 it was getting worse, I could hardly bend it, was very swollen and extremely painful. I went back to my GP who I told I needed this sorting and he agreed to do blood tests to see which department to refer me to at the hospital. A few days later I phoned the hospital and they got me an appointment for the middle of March, a few days later I got a phone call and they said they had prioritised me and could I go next week, I saw the Specialist Physiotherapist and the Rheumatologist who examined me and asked me to go for an x- ray and blood tests and then to go back to see him, he was talking about drainage and biopsy’s, but it wasn’t his expertise and he would refer me to his colleague, A few days later I got a call from the hospital who said they had been ringing all day to try to get me in (this was a Thursday at 16:50) and wanted me in on Monday 5th February 2007 at 9am, they sent me straight for another x- ray of my whole leg and chest (which when questioned was a normality) then I went to see the Orthopaedic surgeon who told me I had a malignant tumour in my knee and the best treatment was in Birmingham so they would refer me there to do further tests ASAP. Travelled to Birmingham on Thursday 22nd February 2007 and had an MRI scan of my legs, which confirmed it was osteosarcoma and I would have to have a knee replacement and about half of my thigh bone replaced. I had a biopsy on Wednesday 28th February 2007 to see if the cells were low (benign) or high (cancerous) grade and received a call from Birmingham on Tuesday 6th March 2007 to say the majority of cells found were low grade but some were high grade so I would be admitted to Leeds to start Chemotherapy ASAP!

For the next 10 weeks I had intense chemotherapy through a Hickman line in my chest, and on the 4th June 2007 I had my knee replaced and half my femur replaced with metal at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. Then I had 30 weeks more intense chemotherapy to endure, plus two extra drugs as I was on a trial. After two sessions of chemotherapy after my surgery I noticed and pointed out to the doctors a red patch on my leg, after lots of tests and investigations they said I had an infection on my prosthesis and it needed opening up again and washing to get rid of the infection.This was done on the 25th July 2007. After this I got more movement in my leg and could bend my knee a lot easier, the chemotherapy was starting to build up in my system and I got a lot of temperatures and was neutropenic quite a few times so I spent a lot of time in hospital at the end of treatment. On the 19th January 2008 I finally finished chemotherapy! It felt great to finish and finally have some freedom back. The physiotherapist came 3 times a week to help me get some strength back and to gain confidence without my crutch.

Life now: I'm trying to get as normal as possible, I'm trying to get out everyday, even if it's just for a walk. I'm hoping to start swimming again soon, but I'm still suffering with toe nail infections. I’m enjoying the freedom of being able to do what I wish instead of having to go for tests, chemotherapy, hospital appointments etc. I currently have check-ups every 6 weeks with my Oncologist, where I have blood tests and x-rays and everything is ok, I'm in complete remission! I have a website with more information and updates about me here (www.freewebs.com/ktlouise85).

Katie Brooman
(Former Bone Cancer Patient)