For more than a decade, Cheryl Murray from Glasgow lived with a painful secret—literally. What started as a small bump on her foot when she was just 15 slowly grew into a golf ball-sized lump. She told no one. Not her friends, not her family. She was scared of what it might be—and even more scared to find out.
A Silent Struggle
Doctors initially believed it was a torn ligament from a fall and recommended basic physiotherapy. But as the years passed, the lump didn’t fade—it grew. Cheryl endured the pain quietly, concealing it even as walking became more difficult. Shame and fear kept her from seeking further answers.
The Day Everything Changed
When she moved in with her partner, David, the secret couldn’t stay hidden any longer. Concerned, he urged her to see a specialist. An MRI and biopsy delivered devastating news: the lump was a sarcoma—a rare and aggressive cancer that attacks the body’s connective tissues.
A Heartbreaking Choice
Doctors told Cheryl the cancer could spread rapidly and recommended an urgent below-the-knee amputation. It was a crushing blow—but David stood by her side. In an incredible show of love and support, he proposed just weeks before her life-changing surgery.
What Is Sarcoma?
Sarcoma is an uncommon form of cancer that can affect muscles, fat, nerves, and blood vessels. It often begins as a painless lump and can go unnoticed for years. Early detection is key, but because symptoms are subtle, diagnosis is often delayed.
Cheryl’s Powerful Message
Cheryl’s story is a haunting reminder of how fear can delay care—and how crucial it is to listen to your body. “If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait,” she says. “Get it checked. You never know what it could be.”
