She's survived every teenager’s worst nightmare.
But Sarah Dransfield, 18, refuses to let the bone cancer that claimed her right leg ruin her chances of a bright future.
In recent months, the upbeat student has managed to pass her driving test, celebrate A-level success and raise £1,200 for other cancer victims with a huge 18th birthday party.
And the Holmfirth teenager is not stopping there, as she makes plans to continue her studies, organise a skydive and even travel the globe – despite only having one leg.
“You only live once so I now enjoy every day and keep myself busy,” said Sarah, who is returning to Huddersfield New College this September.
Sarah was only 16 when she developed a pain in her right knee in January 2012.
After being prescribed painkillers by her GP, she began private physiotherapy sessions.
But after two months, her pain worsened, to the point where she could hardly stand.
“It was so painful,” recalls Sarah. “I remember having to ask people if I could sit down in bus shelters. It was agony.”
Eventually her physiotherapist sent her for a private MRI scan, which revealed she had bone cancer.
She said: “It was an awful feeling, I thought, ‘No, not me’.The first question I asked was if I was going to die.
“They said no but there was a risk I could lose my leg and that they would try to save it. It was such a shock for everyone.”
Sarah started chemotherapy in April 2012 and had to endure almost a year of fortnightly treatments in Leeds General Infirmary, followed by two weeks off.
“After the first chemotherapy blast, I started to lose my hair, which was awful because I’d always had long brown hair,” said Sarah, who lives at home with her parents Hazel and Nigel, and 16-year-old brother Andy.
“In between, I’d feel so sick and get some awful infections and blisters in my mouth.
“I lost so much weight because I just couldn’t eat and dropped to about six stones.”
In July 2012, a specialist from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham gave Sarah and her parents the heartbreaking news that amputation was the best option.
“I said no and didn’t want them to do it because it was such a massive thing,” said Sarah.
“I cried loads because I knew my life would never be the same again. I thought it would be over.
“I screamed as I laid in the operating theatre and tried not to go to sleep, knowing it was going to be the last time with my leg.
“It only took about 40 minutes and then the cancer was gone for good. I couldn’t look at my leg when I woke up and even now I can still feel my toes as if it’s still there.
“They call it phantom pains and they are real and very painful. It’s quite common.”
In October 2012, Sarah was fitted with a prosthetic leg and in January 2013 starting walking again.
She now has a new suction leg, which has made a big difference.
Sarah said: “I can wear high heels with this one, which is something I was worried about. I still use my crutches if I have to go a long way and limp a bit but passing my driving test has really helped.”
Sarah also had traces of cancer in her lungs, which increased her initial chemotherapy course from six months to a year.
In May 2013, she underwent another operation to open her ribcage to remove all signs of cancer.
She said: “I’ve had a letter saying I am now cancer free but I do worry it can come back.
“If I stay still, I just think about my leg so I try to keep busy and enjoy life as much as possible.
“My advice to anyone is to stay positive and think you will get through it.”
Sarah was supported by the Teenage Cancer Trust during her illness.
To say thank you, 150 friends and family raised £1,200 for the charity when they turned out to celebrate her 18th birthday party recently.
