Megan Kelly grappled recurrent infections and crippling fatigue before being diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing sarcoma in 2019.
Megan Kelly began battling fatigue and recurrent infections when she was 16Institute of Cancer Research She was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma after two yearsInstitute of Cancer Research Doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as glandular feverInstitute of Cancer Research
The first signs of Megan’s deadly cancer appeared in September 2017, when she was 16.
“This was followed by virus after virus, along with constant urine infections,” her mum wrote in a blog posted to The Institute of Cancer Research.
Megan was in and out of the GP, walk-in clinic and A&E, with doctors putting down her symptoms to glandular fever, scarlet fever and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
“I had fought my own battle with Hodgkin lymphoma when I was 32,” she shared.
“But the rational side of me wanted to believe the doctors each time we were told she just had a virus.
In 2019, Megan was battling yet another infection, this time hypothermia.
“But she just rolled her eyes and told me that parents could sometimes be neurotic when it came to their children.”
The teen’s cancer was only spotted after it had spread to her lungs and lymph nodesInstitute of Cancer Research Institute of Cancer ResearchShe endured gruelling chemotherapy and surgery[/caption]
The doctor examined Megan’s stomach and suspected it may be cancer when she felt a mass on her kidney.
“She was told she would never be able to have children and that she only had a 30 per cent chance of surviving more than five years,” the distraught mum wrote.
What is Ewing Sarcoma?
EWING sarcoma is a type of bone cancer most often found in teenagers and young adults.
The bones most commonly affected by Ewing sarcoma are:
Pelvis Thigh (femur) Shin (tibia) Ribs and shoulder bladesPain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, including Ewing sarcoma. But symptoms may vary, depending on what part of the body the cancer is in.
The area may be:
Swollen Painful when touchedBone cancer is sometimes found when a bone breaks after a minor fall or accident. This is because it has been weakened by the cancer.
Most of the time, these symptoms are caused by other conditions that are more common than bone cancer. But if you have any swelling or unexplained bone pain, get it checked by your GP.
Tell your GP if the pain happens at night and when you are resting.
Source: Macmillan Cancer Support
“Having been through it myself years before, I knew how brutal it could be.
“She listened to her diagnosis, had a cry, then stopped and said: ‘So what are we going to do about it?’. She never felt sorry for herself.”
Remarkable resilience
She also underwent surgery in February 2020 to remove her left kidney and the tumour on it.
“In my heart, I think I knew at this point that Megan was not going to make it, but my husband still had a lot of hope.”
My daughter had an incredible life ahead of her. She was articulate, beautiful, kind and funny – and I often wonder where she would be right now
Jane KellyBut she started being sick again in August and a scan made the family’s worst nightmare a reality: the 19-year-old’s cancer was back and there was nothing more doctors could do for her.
“Despite promising myself that I would never cry in front of her, I broke down,” Jane recalled.
Megan passed away on December 9, 2020.
Megan’s legacy
During the months that she was in remission, she talked about doing a skydive to raise funds and wanted to organise a rave in the summer of 2021.
To honour her memory, her family set up the Megan’s Rose of Hope charity in January 2022 which has raised thousands in support of young cancer patients.
“We wanted to fund research that was specifically directed at cancers that affect young people, and we know Megan would have wanted the money we raised to make a difference,” Jane said.
“We need to develop kinder, better treatments for children with cancer to be able to save more lives.
“I can only hope that she would be incredibly proud of what we are doing in her name.”
Bone cancers can cause five subtle symptoms
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