When Gemma Harrison developed a pain in her leg doctors told her it was nothing to worry about. She was advised it was muscle strain and sent home with painkillers and muscle rub.
But within three months Gemma, from Skelmersdale, was on the operating table after the 'muscle strain' turned out to be a rare cancer. And after complications during her treatment the 34-year-old found herself undergoing surgery to remove her leg from the hip down.
Former barworker, Gemma, told the Liverpool Echo how she had discovered a lump on her left thigh after the initial appointment. She returned to the hospital and after tests and scans she was found to have an osteosarcoma.
Treatment which followed included intense chemotherapy as doctors tried to shrink the lump. Unfortunately during this treastment her leg snapped, ruining ruined plans to replace part of her leg with a metal rod.
Instead she had to have her leg amputated from the hip to prevent the cancer spreading. Now she is waiting on a prosthetic which will incorporate three joints, the hip, knee and ankle.
Speaking as she continues to adjust to life without her left leg two and a half years on from the procedure. Gemma said: "During the last few years it's been difficult. My friends and family have got me through it.
"The mental side has been difficult but I'm working through it. I went to an amputee camp and it was amazing."
Now, the former bartender is looking to raise money for both Macmillan, which helped her during her diagnosis, and Limbless Association by hosting a sports day where different pubs in Skelmersdale enter teams to compete against each other. The first annual event will be hosted at Quarry Bank Community House.
She added: "I worked full time in one pub and part-time in another as well as cleaning friends' houses when I was diagnosed. I was always on my feet so it was a big change.
"One of the pubs set up a fundraiser to help me when I was diagnosed so I thought I would organise something that will carry on each year until after I'm gone."
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