Her foot was swollen for years, she finally went to the doctor and he revealed the terrible truth

For ten long years, Cheryl Murray lived with a large, painful lump on her foot—a secret she kept even from the man she loved.

It was only when she moved in with her partner, David, that the truth, and the lump, could no longer be hidden. What she thought was a minor issue turned out to be something much more frightening: cancer.

The Secret She Couldn't Hide Forever

Cheryl, from Glasgow, Scotland, first noticed the lump on her foot when she was only 15. It was uncomfortable, but not alarming. A doctor initially dismissed it and suggested physiotherapy. Following a slip and fall, they believed she might have torn a ligament.

But over the next decade, the lump did not disappear—it grew. And every time she accidentally knocked it, the pain was sharp and unbearable. Eventually, it swelled to the size of a golf ball.

By then, Cheryl had started dating David. But instead of telling him about the lump, she kept it secret—out of embarrassment.

"I was ashamed of it," she confessed in an interview with the Daily Mail.

This shame prevented her from seeking help.

"He Knew It Was More Serious"

It was only when they moved in together that David finally saw the bump and confronted her.

"David asked me what was wrong with my leg. I replied that it was torn ligaments, but he saw that it wasn't, that it was more serious," Cheryl recalled.

He urged her to go back to the doctor. That decision may have saved her life.

The Diagnosis Changed Everything

Her doctor quickly ordered an MRI, an X-ray, and biopsies. The results were devastating.

The lump was cancer—sarcoma. And it was aggressive.

Her surgeon delivered the grim news: to prevent the cancer from spreading, they needed to amputate Cheryl's lower leg as soon as possible.

"I was hysterical. I was so shocked I couldn't speak," she said. "I felt like I'd been punched in the face twice in one day."

A Life-Changing Proposal

Throughout the difficult ordeal, David stood firmly by her side. Amazingly, just a few weeks before the amputation, he proposed to her.

Cheryl credits him with giving her the strength to carry on.

"He provided me with motivation and willpower to continue," she said.

What is Sarcoma?

Sarcoma is a rare cancer that affects the body's connective tissues—things like muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, and nerves. It can strike anywhere but most often starts in the arms or legs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Doctors still don't fully understand what causes sarcomas, but they tend to occur more frequently in adults, particularly those who have had radiation or chemotherapy for other cancers. There are several types, including:

• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• Chondrosarcoma (cartilage cancer)
• Ewing sarcoma (originating in bone marrow)

These cancers can be hard to spot initially, with symptoms varying depending on the tumor's location. Some common red flags include:

• Persistent swelling that doesn't go away
• Lumps or deformities in the bones or under the skin
• Chronic pain in a specific area
• Muscle weakness or loss of mobility
• Changes in walking or coordination

Don't Ignore the Signs

Cheryl's story is a powerful reminder that when something feels wrong, do not ignore it. She was lucky. Her life was saved—but only because she finally listened to her instincts (and to David).

"10 years I'm fighting the good fight 🎗️ Soft tissue sarcoma is such a rare cancer and unfortunately one that...

Facebook post by Cheryl McKenzie on Wednesday, May 1, 2024"

"If I hadn't shown him the lump, I probably would have ignored it even longer," she said.

If you are in pain, or if something feels incorrect, do not wait. Trust your gut feeling. Get answers. And if the first answer doesn't feel right—keep asking.

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