Young mum’s limp turned out to be bone cancer – and now she’s lost a leg just weeks after having twins
A YOUNG mum’s limp turned out to be bone cancer - and now she’s lost a leg just weeks after having twins.
Dionne Brown was just 24 when she discovered she had osteosarcoma, four months after giving birth to Emmett and Cohen.
The rare bone cancer tends to affected children and young adults under the age of 20.
The mum-of-four from South Molton, Devon, said the diagnosis almost came as a relief.
She told Devon Live: "For about 10 months I was in horrific pain," she
"My leg was swollen, I was throwing up, I was limping and on so much pain medication.
"I was screaming because I was just constantly in pain, it was so bad."
Despite multiple doctors' appointments, Dionne's condition wasn't diagnosed for nearly another year.
She said: "Getting the diagnosis was devastating, I knew my life was never going to be the same again.
"But at the same time it was almost a relief because for 10 months they were telling me nothing was wrong - but I knew there was."
Dionne then had to undergo 11 months of chemotherapy before having her leg amputated.
And she feared her kids might not even know who she was after all her treatment.
"I spent nearly a year in hospital and was worried my kids wouldn’t know who I was or recognise me when I lost my hair.
"It was pretty awful but I have made it out the other end now."
Two years on, Dionne says a four-day sailing adventure around the Isle of Wright with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust trip has transformed her confidence.
How to spot signs of bone cancer
- Bone pain is the most common symptom.
- This usually begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bones.
- The feeling gradually progresses to a persistent ache or an ache that comes and goes, which continues at night and when resting.
- Any bone can be affected, although most commonly it developes in the legs or upper arms.
- The pain can sometimes be wrongly mistaken for arthritis in adults and growing pains in children and teenagers.
- Other symptoms can include swelling and redness (inflammation), or a lump on or around the affected bone.
- Less commoon symptoms can include a high temperature of 38C or above, unexplained weight loss and sweating, particularly at night.
Source: NHS
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“I’m so glad I came on the trip and realised I can do anything I want to do," she said.
"It was so much fun, I honestly don’t think I’ve laughed that much since treatment, it was life-changing.
"I’ve made new friends and memories that will last a lifetime.”
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