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Matthew KingYoung British man with Ewing's sarcoma that led to the amputation of his right leg
Date of Birth: 01.01.1998
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Young Briton's Life Turned Upside Down by Ewing's Sarcoma
- A Life of Constant Agony
- A Devastating Diagnosis
- Ewing's Sarcoma: A Rare and Aggressive Cancer
- Amputation and a Grueling Recovery
- Phantom Pains and Emotional Rollercoaster
- Years of Misdiagnosis and Frustration
- A Life-Changing Diagnosis
- A Traumatic Treatment
- Embracing the Future
- What is Ewing's Sarcoma?
Young Briton's Life Turned Upside Down by Ewing's Sarcoma
Twenty-year-old Matthew King's life was turned upside down when he was forced to undergo a leg amputation due to an aggressive cancer that doctors had "overlooked for three years."
A Life of Constant Agony
King, from North Yorkshire, describes his life as a "living hell" due to the relentless pain that prevented him from sleeping. Despite seeking medical attention on five separate occasions, doctors dismissed his complaints as muscle pain.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Three years of agony culminated in a fracture in King's right leg in March 2017, which finally led doctors to discover a grapefruit-sized tumor. The tumor had become so severe that it had broken through his thigh bone.
Ewing's Sarcoma: A Rare and Aggressive Cancer
King was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bone or surrounding tissue that primarily affects young people. Doctors informed him that his tumor was approximately three times larger than typical.
Amputation and a Grueling Recovery
After undergoing chemotherapy, King's right leg was amputated in a 14-hour surgery in August 2018. He spent the next five months learning to walk with a prosthetic leg.
Phantom Pains and Emotional Rollercoaster
"I didn't panic when they told me I needed to have my leg amputated," King recalls. "But after the surgery, the phantom pains were horrendous."
"Getting back on my feet took no time at all, but it took me over 150 days to master the rehab bars."
Years of Misdiagnosis and Frustration
King believes that if doctors had taken his concerns more seriously earlier on, he would have been able to keep both his legs.
"I spent years in agonizing pain," he says. "I was lying awake at night not being able to settle. I was having days off work because I couldn't get off the couch. I was crying myself to sleep at night because the pain was unbearable."
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
King describes the tumor as "a dagger that was just sat there that they couldn't see." His active lifestyle of playing football, cycling, and running came to an abrupt end as his life spiraled out of control and he desperately sought answers.
"My frustration was that they wouldn't give me any further scans, even when I was begging them to," he recalls. "They kept saying that I didn't need them."
"I was only 18. I kept thinking, 'Why is this happening to me?' You never think that something like this is going to happen to you."
A Traumatic Treatment
Chemotherapy took a heavy toll on King's body, causing him to lose his appetite, become extremely weak, and suffer from a kidney infection.
Embracing the Future
Following his surgery, King took a year out of university to focus on his recovery. He plans to study English literature and history and embrace his "new life on one leg."
Reflecting on his experience, King says it has given him a new perspective on life. He refuses to hide his prosthetic leg or let others pity him.
"I want to make the most of my life," King declares. "I haven't really had any comments about my prosthetic leg."
"I don't know how girls are going to react when they see me like this, but I'm going to give it a go. I think I'm going to prove that you don't have to hide your disability. What's the point? I'm proud of what I've been through. It's part of me."
Today, King exudes a lust for life, recognizing that anything can happen at any moment. He believes in living in the present and not dwelling on the past or assigning blame to himself, doctors, or a higher power.
What is Ewing's Sarcoma?
Ewing's sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that typically affects bones or the tissue around bones.
It is most commonly diagnosed in young people, with a peak incidence between the ages of 10 and 20. It is more common in males than females.
Ewing's sarcoma can spread to other parts of the body. The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chances of a successful outcome.
In some cases, a complete cure is possible, but due to its tendency to spread early, the prognosis is generally less favorable.
The cancer can return after treatment, so regular follow-up care is crucial.
Approximately half of people with Ewing's sarcoma live for at least five years after their diagnosis.
