From Minor Symptoms to Major Strength: Kara’s Cancer Journey
When you think of cancer, you might imagine big warning signs. But for Kara, it all started with something small—a strange tingling in her left foot.
In 2016, Kara began feeling a needle-like sensation on the bottom of her foot and pain behind her knee. Doctors told her it was probably a pinched nerve. For a year, she saw different specialists and even physical therapists, but no one had answers.
Then one day, after a workout, Kara pressed the back of her knee and felt a sharp pain shoot down her leg. That’s when she realized something was really wrong. She scheduled an MRI, thinking it was just a cyst.
The MRI and “The Wait”
The MRI wasn’t the hard part—it was the waiting. A week later, she got the results. The tumor was “benign,” meaning non-cancerous. But the word “tumor” scared her anyway.
Doctors said it wasn’t urgent, so Kara scheduled surgery to remove it. She wanted life back to normal—spin classes, work, everything. But life had other plans.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Five days after surgery, Kara got a phone call: “Are you sitting down?” her doctor asked. Then came the words no one wants to hear: “It’s malignant. You have cancer.”
Kara says she didn’t even know what “malignant” meant at first. Then the reality hit—she had a rare type of cancer called synovial sarcoma, which affects soft tissue.
“It was like an out-of-body experience,” Kara recalls. “I was shaking, crying, and couldn’t breathe.”
Be Your Own Advocate
Looking back, Kara wishes she had gotten multiple opinions before surgery. Because doctors thought her tumor was harmless, pieces were left behind, making treatment harder.
Her advice?
✅ Trust your gut.
✅ Get second, third, even fourth opinions.
✅ If you have time, do your research.
Chemo, Side Effects, and Finding Strength
Kara’s treatment plan was aggressive—five rounds of chemotherapy instead of six because her body couldn’t handle more. Chemo came with tough side effects:
Extreme fatigue
Nausea
Mouth sores
Bone pain from white blood cell boosters
Hair loss was one of the hardest parts. Kara turned it into a celebration by cutting her hair short with friends before it fell out. Later, she shaved it at a salon (tip: use clippers at home to avoid infections).
To cope, Kara relied on routines like meditation, Reiki healing, and relaxing baths. She also stayed connected with family and friends who organized support through a shared calendar.
A Miracle in the OR
After chemo, Kara faced a big surgery to remove the tibial nerve where the tumor had been. Doctors warned she might lose motor function in her foot. Amazingly, she woke up from the eight-hour surgery able to move her foot.
“It was a miracle,” she says. “They told me I’d never run or do yoga again. Today, I do both.”
Radiation and the Final Push
Next came 36 rounds of radiation. It left her tired and caused skin burns, but Kara managed with special creams and oils. Finally, her doctor said the words she had been waiting for: “You’re done.”
That moment brought mixed emotions—joy, but also fear of losing the constant support from her care team.
Life After Cancer
Today, Kara sees her cancer experience as a turning point. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through,” she says, “but it led to growth. It made me appreciate life, my body, and my community so much more.”
She even started her own company and focuses on wellness and mindfulness. Her message to other patients:
“Post-traumatic growth is possible. Cancer doesn’t just take—it can transform you.”
Takeaways for Patients & Caregivers
Small symptoms can signal something serious. Don’t ignore them.
Always get multiple opinions if you have time.
Build a support system and communicate your needs clearly.
Prepare for emotional ups and downs—it’s okay to ask for help.
Focus on routines that keep you grounded.
About the Patient Story
The Patient Story shares authentic patient experiences with compassion and scientific rigor. Starting with cancer and expanding to other conditions, the platform combines patient narratives with medically vetted information on symptoms, clinical trials, insurance, and support—presented in a human-centered way.
For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.
This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
