14/07/2026
Sarcoma Awareness
I personally know this lovely lady who is a true inspiration in courage & faith . 💕
Read her enlightening story here ⬇️
MY SARCOMA STORY
Michelle, 56, Antrim N.I.
Sarcome type: Myxofibro sarcoma
In 2022 I discovered a painless lump below my knee, approx. 3/4 cms in size. I thought I had just knocked it or something, but it didn’t go away so I visited my GP. My Dr referred me for an urgent scan to Antrim Area Hospital, which they reduced to non-urgent, so was about 6 months before I received the scan.
I was told by the radiologist/Sonographer at the scan appointment that it wasn’t anything sinister, just something like a ganglion cyst. Obviously, I was relieved, but I was very conscious of it and asked the dr could it be removed and he told me that they wouldn’t be doing anything with it. A few months later I noticed that the lump had changed in shape and size and was painful during the night, often waking me from my sleep.
Still believing it was nothing sinister. I made another appointment with the doctor, a different doctor this time who referred me to the ICATS clinic in Whiteabbey Hospital which I attended on July 2023, the doctor there decided to refer me to a surgeon for removal, still with the premise that it was not anything to worry about. At this stage the lump had increased to the size of my knee. On return from the ICATS appointment I went back into the care home where I work as a Wellbeing/Activities Lead and just happened to be in the lift with my own GP, who was visiting a patient who is a resident in our home. I had a chat with him about where I had just come from and that I had been referred to surgeon. He asked to see the lump and after looking at it he said that he wasn’t happy with that and he would be in touch with me once back to the office. I received a call that day to attend another scan in Whiteabbey Hospital later in the week. The radiographer took lots of time scanning the lump and said that there were lots going on, the lump had its own blood supply and needed further investigation. He sent me for an Xray there and then and referred me for MRI and Biopsy. The waiting for the results was really challenging. Approximately 6 weeks later I received the news from my Gp that it was a nasty one and he had arranged for me to attend an appointment with a consultant surgeon in the Ulster Hospital Dundonald 3 days later where my husband and I received the news that I had a soft tissue sarcoma. I had never heard of Sarcoma before. He explained that this was beyond his field and needed to be treated by Sarcoma specialists and that some of the possible treatment options could be an amputation. We were totally shellshocked! Had I not had that divine appointment with Dr Bradley my prognosis, I have no doubt, would have been a lot worse.
The diagnosis turned our lives upside down. I found it particularly hard telling my boys and family. Finances were also a major worry as I worked full time, and all I could access from work was SSP which is a
fraction of a full-time wage, yet my bills were just the same. So I continued to work during my radiotherapy even though it was exhausting. This was an added stress to what was already a stressful
situation. Accessing the benefit system was a confusing minefield and totally alien to me as I have always worked. The endless filling forms, telephone calls, interviews and attending treatment was overwhelming.
Eventually everything slotted into place through the help of my amazing Friends, Macmillan and the Sarcoma nurse in time . From that all my appointments were very close together. I underwent 30
sessions of radiotherapy, which burnt my wound and I had a lot of indescribable fatigue, but I continued to work whilst receiving the treatment.
The staff, Dr McCardy and her team in the cancer centre at the city hospital were beyond amazing and Susan Starrett, the sarcoma specialist nurse was integral in my journey, keeping me informed and
answering questions that I had. She made me feel seen, known and heard in what a very busy department, which felt a bit like a conveyer belt as each day the same thing happened. The room had a constant flow of
people all facing different hurdles. I can’t commend the staff enough for the work they do.
During that time my family and I had the opportunity to stay in Hope House, Browns Bay Islandmagee where we were able to spend quality time together, rest and soak in the Vitamin Sea. It was a heaven on
earth. This is a free service for anyone receiving cancer treatment. I cannot tell you how beneficial it was. I watched my husband’s countenance totally change. Like a load had been lifted. I encourage everyone who finds themselves on this path to contact Hope House Ireland, you will not regret it.
Following my radiotherapy, I had a series of 4 limb saving surgeries to remove the sarcoma, and limb reconstructive surgery on 22 nd Jan 2024, where they brought my calf forward to replace the lost tissue and a skin graft from my thigh. It has totally amazed me how much can be done now and how gifted and knowledgeable our surgeons are, they are top of their field. I am forever grateful to Dr Dustagheer and his team and particularly Gemma and Jill, the sarcoma specialist nurses whose support and care were invaluable, all based in the Ulster Hospital Dundonald.
Recovery has been difficult, learning to use crutches, getting frustrated with not being able to do normal things and being confined to the house was really challenging but also enlightening. After the treatment finished I continue to be monitored 3 monthly by the team in Belfast City Hospital. This part of the journey has been particularly hard, which I really didn’t expect, but I continue to look forward and aim to live each
day as it comes. I am enjoying being more mobile and some normality has returned and continues to get better.
My beautiful family, friends and wonderful JVC church family loved and cared for us so much. God’s love, care, compassion and provision was poured out on us. We are so grateful and blessed to be part of such an
amazing bunch of people. My life has been rocked and changed forever, not just by my Sarcoma diagnosis but blessed and inspired by people I have had the privilege and honour and opportunity to and met along the way, all facing major uncertainty and health hurdles. I know this sounds totally wired up, but I have experienced so much of the faithfulness God through this journey. I am grateful! Yes, there have been lots of tears, but waaaay more joy and yes, I’ve been anxious but I’ve also experienced peace that goes beyond anything I could ever put in words.
I am learning I cannot do this on my own, I’m nothing without him, to focus on today and appreciate the here and now. I know that this journey has given me lots of insight into myself and a whole world that I did not know.
I hope and pray that I can be an encouragement to others and that by sharing my story I encourage anyone who discovers a lump of any kind to seek medical advice. Early diagnosis is crucial.
