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Kelly's
Conquest |
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By Brad Wilson |
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Kelly
Cartwright is on track for Paralympic glory, but more
importantly she's making the most of her second chance
at life. She shares her struggles and dreams with
Harriet Morley |
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When Kelly
Cartwright was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 she was
devastated, but when doctors told her that amputation
was her best hope of survival, all she wanted to do was
die. |
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Four years
on and this 19-year-old is enjoying life she prepares
for the Beijing Paralympics in September. Ranked fourth
in the world in her class and with a 100 metre personal
best of 17:62, Geelong-based Kelly has not only overcome
the odds to qualify for her first international meet,
but she has every chance of medalling. "Yes, I'm
definitely in with a chance for a medal, whether it's
bronze, silver or gold I'd be happy with any, or I'd
just be happy with a PB." she says. |
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Flawed |
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Kelly, a top
grade netballer at 15 was coming off an exciting year.
She had taken out the best and fairest for her regional
netball league, had a new boyfriend, and was preparing
for her debutant ball. The only vice to her "better than
ever" year had been the ongoing pain she was
experiencing in her right knee. While growing pains and
a recurring netball injury seemed the likely
explanation, Kelly and her family grew concerned as the
pain intensified. |
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On 5
November 2004, Kelly's GP ordered an MRI scan in an
attempt to locate the source of the pain. The scan ruled
out growing pains, and the netball injury. Instead it
showed the pain Kelly had been experiencing was the
result of a tumour. The tumour - synovial sarcoma - was
a rare and aggressive form of cancer that targets the
joints. |
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Devastated
by the diagnosis the teenager could never have been
prepared for what was still to come. Doctors explained
that Kelly's form of cancer did not respond well to
chemo or radiation therapy and that her best chance of
survival would be to have her leg amputated. "I told
them I would rather die than have my leg cut off," she
recalls. |
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For Further
Information, please buy a copy of Runner's World,
September 2008 Issue @ myNEWS.com
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