Christine (she/her)

What type of cancer were you diagnosed with, and when?

I was diagnosed with​ a Chondrosarcoma in early 2022. I was 38 at the time, I’m now 41.

How did you find out you had cancer? 

I was a fit and active runner when I first noticed something was wrong. I had a constant pain in my right foot and initially dismissed this as a running injury. After months of physiotherapy and a misdiagnosis of perineal tendonitis, my treatment was put on hold when I became pregnant with my first daughter, Sophie. When the pain persisted after Sophie was born, I went back to my physiotherapist for a steroid injection. They scanned my foot and said there was nothing wrong with the tendon, but there was a mass. A biopsy followed in December 2021. Then, in the new year of 2022, the diagnosis came: bone cancer — specifically chondrosarcoma.

What did you think and feel when you were diagnosed? 

It was a complete shock. I didn’t for one moment think there was any cancer in my foot. I had already battled through breast cancer in 2018 and didn’t think I could be that unlucky again!

How did the people around you react? 

I am lucky. I have a wonderful supportive husband and two beautiful young daughters. I also have a whole tribe of amazing friends and family. It has been them  that have got me through this difficult time.

What treatment did you have, or are you having? 

Surgeons initially performed limb-sparing surgery, removing the tumour from my heel and at first, things looked positive. However, when I became pregnant again and gave birth to my second daughter, Chloe, in February 2023, the familiar swelling in my foot returned. By May 2023, scans confirmed the cancer had recurred. This time, the treatment was far more drastic: a below-the-knee amputation.

I was obviously devastated at that point because I had a two-year-old and a four-month-old and I was really worried about how we were going to cope as a family. My consultant’s words have stuck with me “My job is to save your life, not your leg.”

So in June 2023, I underwent the amputation. My husband and I joked about who was going to walk first, me or my daughter. Fortunately, it was me.

Then followed months of rehabilitation and physiotherapy in order to learn how to walk again with a prosthetic limb.

Routine scans on my lungs — the first place chondrosarcoma tends to spread — have since revealed that the cancer has metastasised. On Sophie’s third birthday in June 2024, I was told I have stage four cancer. It was treatable, but incurable.

As a mother, my first thought was, bloody hell, I’m not going to see my children grow up. Every milestone and every significant event is emotionally charged. There is so much uncertainty around that diagnosis.

Since then, I’ve had three lung operations to remove tumours. Of course, that’s not a forever situation as there are only so many bits of lung they can keep hacking away at until they can’t do any more.

How did/are you feel/ing through treatment? 

My treatment plan now is to have scans every three months to check what the cancer in my lungs and rest of my body is doing. Living in three-monthly intervals is tough. But I have tried to embrace a new philosophy — staying present, cherishing the good days, and not thinking too far ahead.

It becomes more manageable, and then you almost have a new way of dealing with things. I don’t feel like I’m dying right now, I can participate in and enjoy everyday life. You can have a meaningful, worthwhile, full life and make some wonderful memories in the time that you do have. Nobody’s tomorrow is promised to anyone. I think just enjoy life while you still can.

What’s facing you next in terms of treatment?

My next scan is in early June, then we cross our fingers for a positive outcome that the cancer is stable!

How did you get involved with Shine?

I came across the charity online and started following and signed up to the newsletters.  I always keep an eye out for the Bristol meet-ups and hope to come along soon. So far I haven’t been able to make it due to childcare. I’m planning on signing up for the Shine Circles programme in June.

What difference has Shine made to you?

It is really useful to be able to connect with other people in this age bracket in this situation. All too often I’m sat in waiting rooms full of older people that I don’t feel I have as much in common with. Knowing there are people that really care about our experiences helps.

How do you feel now about your experiences? What‘s been the biggest change you’ve faced?

I have recently signed up to a 56 mile charity cycling challenge, Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4. This will be the first time I’ve been on a bike since my amputation. My aim is to challenge any pre conceptions around what having stage 4 cancer looks like and show my daughters that Mummy’s still got it! Yes she can still get up and go for these things, challenge herself, and be fit and healthy while she still can.

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself before your diagnosis, what would it be?

If you have a niggle that something isn’t right with your body get it checked out and continue to advocate for yourself until you get answers. If you don’t then who will?!

You can follow Christine and hear more about her experiences on her Insta: half_price_pedicure_vs_cancer