My story begins back in November 2006 when whilst driving I began to feel pain in my right knee, similar to muscle strain. I initially thought nothing of it, until I took a long train journey and noticed the pain had become constant, my knee also appeared to have become bent and slightly swollen. At the beginning of December 2006 I made my first trip to my GP's surgery and was advised to take ibuprofen and told it was probably a ligament injury. This was despite the fact that I had not suffered any trauma to my knee. Over Christmas my knee steadily got worse, more swollen and more deformed, I also began to limp. On the 2nd January 2007 I attended my GP's surgery for a second time, where I was signed off work for two weeks, advised to keep taking ibuprofen, even though I was in considerable pain and told that I would be referred to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital although this may take up to ten weeks. I went away confused and dismayed knowing that I would continue to be in pain for some time yet. Rest did nothing to improve my knee and each day it continued to grow worse, more painful, swollen and bent.

Hopeful that I would gain some answers and pain relief, four days after having been signed off from work I went to a private physiotherapist whom I shall be grateful to for the rest of my life. He took one look at my knee and advised me to go to Accident & Emergency for further investigation. He wrote an informed and detailed letter for me to take with me to the hospital, and some weeks later told me that he had written the letter to spell out to the Doctors what he thought was wrong with my knee...it's just a shame that the Doctors whom I saw at A & E had no interest in reading the letter!!

The following morning I attended my local Accident & Emergency Ward for the first of what would be many fruitless and frankly useless visits! There I had my knee x-rayed, the results were clear. Finally the Doctor decided that there must be fluid on my knee and attempted to syringe it off. The thought of this now makes my eyes water and body cringe! Needless to say hardly any fluid came off!! I left A & E with a prescription for more pain killers, an appointment at the Review Clinic, and a very sore knee!!

The following couple of weeks, I attended A & E three more times. At the Review Clinic I was told my knee was a "mystery" and referred to the knee clinic where a week later I was told that I needed an MRI scan and that the hospital would contact me in a couple of weeks...it was a month later when I was finally contacted by the hospital and told that due to a cancellation I could now have an MRI scan (by this time I had already been diagnosed with osteosarcoma**, having gone to a private clinic for further investigation.) Fortunately I decided that I could not wait for the NHS, I was convinced there was something seriously wrong and I wanted to find out what it was...

The following day I attended The Droitwich Knee Clinic, this will probably remain the best decision of my life! Upon immediately examining my knee the doctor told me that I would require an MRI that day. A few hours later, the MRI was completed and I was told that I had a growth on my right knee. My immediate reaction was to burst into tears, this was not only due to my fear but also in relief that finally someone had listened to me and was taking me seriously.

Thanks to the Droitwich Knee Clinic I was referred to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital where the following week after a CT and bone scan I had my biopsy. My thanks go to everyone on Ward 12, I feel so lucky to have that hospital right around the corner from where I live.

Twelve days later I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had to begin to come to terms with the fact that I have cancer . A week later I am feeling positive and strong, I know I'll beat this, surrounded by the love and support of my amazing family and fabulous friends, I am determined to win this battle. 

Thank you for reading, I will keep this website regularly updated via the diary, through good times and in bad! Please remember to sign my guestbook (Click Here to go there now)