Bike fall reveals cancer and saves Kelly Hudson's life

Oct 5 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal

FALLING off her bike saved young Kelly Hudson’s life after a series of routine tests showed she had cancer.

The check-up uncovered a life-threatening tumour the size of a tennis ball in the 11-year-old’s right thigh.

Following extensive nine-hour surgery and months of chemotherapy, Kelly, now 14, is back at school and well on the road to recovery.

Her mum Fiona, 40, of Jarrow, said: “If Kelly had not fallen off her bike then I don’t think she would be here today as her cancer may not have been picked up in time – it literally saved her life.

“After the accident we noticed she had a lump on her thigh but I never thought for one minute it would be cancerous as it wasn’t something I thought happened to young children.

“I was absolutely devastated when we were told it was.

“Watching Kelly battle through the illness has been heartbreaking but we are aware how lucky she has been.”

Cancer specialists told Fiona, Kelly’s dad Mick, 39, a bathroom fitter, and their children Adam, 17, and Craig, 16, that the youngster had synovial sarcoma – a rare cancer that affects the tendons.

Her tumour was removed at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital and as it was positioned near the bone consultants thought they might have to amputate the youngster’s limb – although, thankfully, that proved not to be the case.

However, a lot of muscle was removed from Kelly’s thigh which has left her with permanent disability. She has been unable to continue with her hobby of horse riding and finds it difficult to climb stairs.

Fiona added: “When Kelly went into the operating theatre we did not know if she would return with an amputated leg or not. Doctors said they wouldn’t know if they’d have to remove the limb until they began the operation. It was the worst day of my life.”