When Kirra Wyatt, 17, was 14 years old, she developed leg aches and a swollen knee that both she and her family dismissed as growing pains.
But when the pain started to get worse, Miss Wyatt and her family saw several doctors and were met with the worst news possible.
The Queensland-based teen’s ‘growing pains’ were in fact osteosarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – in her right leg.
What followed were three years of immense challenges, painful treatments, epilepsy, lung surgeries and three recurrences – but miraculously, Miss Wyatt, who was at one point given just a five per cent chance of survival, was able to pull through.
When Kirra Wyatt (pictured now), 17, was 14 years old, she developed leg aches that both she and her family dismissed as growing pains – but it was found to be bone cancer
‘Hearing I had cancer at 14 was such as shock that I decided the only way to deal with it was pretending it wasn’t happening. I didn’t like talking about it or admitting it,’ Miss Wyatt told FEMAIL.
‘I never told any of my friends at school as that would have made it more real. I decided to make a Facebook status to tell everyone nine months from when I was diagnosed and that was extremely hard for me.
‘I didn’t want anyone to think I was different. My parents told me it would all be okay but I could tell they were scared.’
After the diagnosis, Miss Wyatt was given a treatment plan of 12 months of chemotherapy before undergoing six hour surgery to remove her femur and knee and replace them with a titanium bone.
‘Just moments after my bone was ripped out of my leg,’ Miss Wyatt said of this picture
‘My prognosis when I was diagnosed was 70 per cent although three months after I started treatment my greatest fear was realised – scans revealed the cancer had spread to my hip, spine and shoulder,’ Miss Wyatt said.
‘Due to where the cancer had spread, my oncologist told my parents I had a five per cent prognosis if the cancer spots were still there.
‘After heaps of prayers, the next scans revealed the cancer spots had disappeared. It truly was a miracle and I will never forget that day, my parents were so happy.’
Miss Wyatt said despite the physical challenges, the biggest challenge for her was everything she was exposed to in hospital at such a young age.
Miss Wyatt said despite the physical challenges, the biggest challenge for her was everything she was exposed to in hospital at such a young age
‘Children dying was the “normal” in my world three years ago, it was traumatising. It’s confronting because these children are pure, innocent children who haven’t even lived yet,’ she said.
‘Another very difficult challenge was accepting the fact that I had cancer. I constantly tried to hide the fact that I looked sick. That was the hardest for me, actually facing the facts.
‘My body and mental state really didn’t cope too well going through it. I would see all my friends getting boyfriends, learning to drive, going to parties and I was stuck in a hospital bed fighting for my life. It was also hard as a young girl whose life revolved around how I looked.’
Miss Wyatt said her body didn’t cope well at all.
‘These past few years have taught me so much about health and fitness and taught me how to be grateful everyday for being granted a second chance at life,’ she said
‘My kidneys were shutting down due to chemotherapy, I had seizures, blood transfusions and countless infections,’ she said.
My experience changed my life as it taught me to never take life for granted.
Larissa Wyatt, Miss Wyatt’s mother, said watching her daughter go through treatment was one of the most emotional and terrifying experiences of her life.
‘I never expected it to be cancer. I felt so many emotions – numb, complete fear, sadness, despair, panic, anger, helplessness for Kirra,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘I felt for my other two children – my youngest only 18 months at the time of Kirra’s diagnosis and my son only 11. My emotions were high and they are emotions I can’t explain.
‘My kidneys were shutting down due to chemotherapy, I had seizures, blood transfusions and countless infections,’ Miss Wyatt said
‘I stayed calm in front of Kirra and I never showed my true emotions. We talked to her and told her it would be okay and we would be by her side the whole way through it. We let Kirra know little bits at a time – only what we thought she could handle.’
Despite treatment going well, doctors found a lesion on Miss Wyatt’s lung in June, 2016, which was removed but then reappeared in June, 2017.
Thankfully, this surgery was a success as well.
‘It was the scariest time of my life. Just knowing what you went through the first time and the threat of that happening again is horrible,’ Miss Wyatt said.
‘It was extremely busy to balance life going through treatment. I had no social life and no fun. I could not walk nor have the energy too so I just laid in bed watching TV.
Miss Wyatt has now had 12 months of intense chemotherapy, two limb-saving surgeries and two lung surgeries and is now cancer-free
‘I did almost give up but my family’s strength kept me going and I was living for them.’
Miss Wyatt has now had 12 months of intense chemotherapy, two limb-saving surgeries and two lung surgeries and is now cancer-free.
‘Now I eat extremely clean, exercise every day and truly am the happiest version of myself,’ Miss Wyatt said.
‘I have never been more happy and healthy within myself. I have a stronger bond with my family and met a boy whom I love and who supports me through it all.
‘I have never been more happy and healthy within myself. I have a stronger bond with my family and met a boy whom I love and who supports me through it all,’ she said
‘I now am determined to create the most out of my life after being given a second chance. My experience changed my life as it taught me to never take life for granted and to always find the positives in every bad situation.’
Miss Wyatt has been able to see the positives in what she went through and is now using her story to raise awareness about early detection.
‘It’s so incredibly important to detect it early as that truly is what saved my life,’ she said.
‘If anyone ever has any aches or pains please get it checked. No matter what doctors say, always demand an X-Ray especially if you feel something is wrong. I would not have lived if I didn’t have one.’
If you or anyone you know is going through cancer, the Cancer Council can connect you to local support groups in your area. Call 13 11 20 for Information & Support.