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Nikki BradleyBritish adventurer with Ewing's sarcoma
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Nikki Bradley: Adventurer with Ewing's Sarcoma
- Childhood Diagnosis
- Icelandic Expedition
- Support and Inspiration
- Ewing's Sarcoma
- Anxiety and Acceptance
- Ewing's Sarcoma Characteristics
Nikki Bradley: Adventurer with Ewing's Sarcoma
Nikki Bradley, a British adventurer living with Ewing's sarcoma, scales rocky peaks and icy glaciers... on crutches. From afar, the now 30-year-old may appear to be using trekking poles. However, the Irish woman traverses rugged landscapes on orthopedic crutches.
Childhood Diagnosis
Diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at just 16, Bradley's right pelvis was compromised, and she has since undergone two hip replacements. Despite her setbacks, she refused to let her condition diminish her passion for exploration and the outdoors. Last year, Bradley ascended Errigal, County Donegal's formidable mountain, in the season's first snowfall. Opting for the challenging northern approach, where "serious climbers" typically venture, she also trekked Iceland's breathtaking Solheimajokull glacier and abseiled 45 feet into an ice cave. Recalling her ascent, Nikki remarked, "All the weight was going through my legs, which wasn't very nice. But it was worth it for the view. That's a once-in-a-lifetime chance."
Icelandic Expedition
For the Icelandic expedition, organizers required Bradley to acquire spiked footwear and outfit her crutches with special rubber grips. A video capture of one perilous climb reveals Nikki, a fearless blonde, crossing the Sturrall Headland—one of Ireland's most iconic sea cliffs. One of its most daunting sections, the narrow ridge extends nearly half a mile and stands 590 feet at its highest point. Footage shows Nikki ascending the rocky pinnacle, a guide rope tied around her waist for safety.
Support and Inspiration
All of Bradley's expeditions are supervised by experts and involve a support crew. Most recently, she conquered Slieve League, one of Ireland's highest sea cliffs. The adventurer scaled the 1,972-foot-high mountain on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal.
Ewing's Sarcoma
Nikki's condition, Ewing's sarcoma, is extremely rare. Approximately 600 cases are diagnosed in the UK yearly. Most commonly affecting those aged 10-20, Bradley chose to "do something extreme" at her lowest point. Undertaking a rehabilitation program, she took up rock climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, and hiking. In 2013, she launched the inspirational campaign "Fighting Fit for Ewings" to prove achievability regardless of physical ability and to emphasize the importance of exercise.
Anxiety and Acceptance
Nikki acknowledges that she is making the most of every opportunity as her right leg could be amputated at any time. The bone in her thigh has become "dead." "I don't know how I feel about it," Bradley admits when asked how she copes with the prospect of losing her leg. "If it happens, it happens. I'll still do what I want to do."
Ewing's Sarcoma Characteristics
Ewing's sarcoma can develop at any point in childhood or adulthood, but it rarely affects seniors. The malignant tumor can originate anywhere in the body, but it usually forms in the bones of the arms and legs, the pelvis, or the chest wall. The tumor often spreads to the lungs and other bones. The most frequent symptoms are pain and, occasionally, swelling at the tumor site. Fever may also occur. Treatment involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. For localized disease that responds to chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate is 70-80%.
