Katie was left bedbound in agony as the cancer caused her lower back to break.
A mum-of-one who was told her aches and pains were caused by a bug she must have picked up on holiday to Disneyland was diagnosed with a devastating disease. Katie Cooper, 32, actually had stage four skin cancer, which had spread and broken parts of her back.
After returning from a family holiday in Disneyland Paris in March this year, Katie fell ill but was reassured by doctors that it was most likely “just a virus” she’d got while away. But Katie soon found herself bedbound and in “agony”.
After five weeks, she didn’t get any better and her pain persisted, so doctors performed a scan. Katie had previously had a cancerous lump, which was the size of a pea, removed from behind her left ear four years ago.
The scan revealed that her lower back was broken and that the melanoma had not only returned but had aggressively spread throughout her body. It reached her spine, liver, lungs, abdominal wall, and ovaries.
Katie, a civil servant from Wigan in Greater Manchester, said: “It’s terrifying. We had no idea and we just thought I was unwell.
“It blindsided us. Finding out subsequently that it was in my other organs as well, I knew it would be quite difficult from here on out.”
Katie initially had a small freckle removed from a patch of skin behind her ear around seven years ago – which was removed as a precaution. After getting pregnant with her daughter, she noticed a lump had formed in the same place and had it removed.
However, they did warn Katie that it could come back within five years. She is now undergoing radiotherapy and immunotherapy to manage her incurable condition and hopefully slow the progression of the cancer.
Her prognosis depends on how well she reacts to the treatment. To support Katie, her friend Abi Smith, 43, has launched a fundraiser to help cover medical costs, travel for treatment, and essential daily living support.
Abi, a teacher, said: “The cancer is pushing against the bones – causing the breaks. The cancer is in her liver, lungs, ovaries, and bones.
“It’s incurable, and she’s undergoing radiotherapy as pain management and immunotherapy. The prognosis if the treatment doesn’t work is months.
“If it does work, they may be able to get to a 60 per cent chance of 10 years.”
Now Katie is encouraging others to “advocate for themselves” and to get checked if they’re unsure about something. She added: “You know your body best.
“If you feel like something is not right, then you are within your rights to go and ask and don’t be afraid to keep pushing to get those answers.”
Abi said: “She’s accepted the cancer, but when she thinks about her three-year-old daughter, Aurora, she gets really upset. She’s hoping she’ll be there for all her milestones.
“She’s amazing – she’s just the most inspirational person. Her outlook on life, her positivity – I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say anything negative of anybody. She’s an incredible woman.”
You can support the fundraiser here.