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Hillman resident and cancer curvivor tackling the Ride to Conquer Cancer

Vanessa SchmittWeekend Kwinana Courier

HILLMAN resident Amanda Williams is taking part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The 27-year-old had started pre-season training for her state cricket team when she fell ill.

“In August of 2015, I noticed a lump on my chest wall/back so I went to the doctors,” she said.

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“After many tests, scans and a biopsy, it was found out to be a very rare form of cancer known as Synovial Sarcoma.

“Sarcomas in themselves are rare, and this was not only a rare type of sarcoma, but it was also in an uncommon position being on my chest wall.”

Miss Williams had to stop her cricketing goals and put her health first.

“Treatment was fast to start with chemotherapy starting only two weeks from diagnosis,” she said.

“I had to make huge decisions about my future very quickly before anything started.

“Radiation and surgery were also treatments that I had to endure in order to hopefully recover.”

Miss Williams is now 11 months post-diagnosis and four months post-surgery.

“It was not an easy road to go down, but for me it was my only choice,” she said.

“I threw everything I had towards my treatment and getting better.

“The future is still a little bit of an unknown, with frequent and regular scans needed for the next 10 years of my life at least, hoping each time that they will remain to be clear.

“Being that I am now four months past my surgery, I am feeling more and more able to take on fitness goals every day.

“My body is slowly recovering from the intensive treatments it had to endure.”

Miss Williams said the word remission had not been used and she will be monitored and undergo scans for the next 10 years.

She is now training to take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

“My physical limitations will not stop me from riding a bicycle and my sporting background means I love to push and challenge myself,” Miss Williams said.

“I would love to ride with the Sock It To Sarcoma team, alongside other sarcoma patients and also a lot of the medical professionals and surgeons who assisted me through my own personal treatment.”

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is on October 15 and 16. Visit www.conquercancer.org.au/.