Liana’s cancer and amputation journey

24-year-old Liana’s, Osteosarcoma Journey.

Liana has always been an active girl. Liana and her family are locals to Leopold, Geelong. Liana had been playing soccer with the Bellarine Sharks for a while when she developed an ache in her left knee. After months of physiotherapy that wasn’t helping, she sought a second opinion. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Osteosarcoma on the eve of her 24th birthday. She has bravely battled months of chemotherapy only to find out that it has not worked. She is now facing an above knee amputation in order to save her life. 

We are writing as a group of nurses who work closely with Liana’s Mum and have heard about all the wonderful things she is doing in life. Liana had just completed her own nursing studies and was about to start her first nursing job, when her life was turned upside down. We would appreciate any financial help you can afford to give Liana while she travels along this difficult journey in her life. Mostly, we hope your donations will help her to feel she has a whole community of people behind her as she goes through the impossible decision to lose her limb to save her life. So even on the hardest days, she will remember your support. We all have hope and love towards you now and into your bright future! 

Hope for Liana- the full story 

She saw a physiotherapist for 7 months, thinking it was a sports injury. She was advised it was a ‘weak muscle’, but the pain began to get worse. She found it difficult to sleep through the pain. Her Mum, Lois and Dad, Jason, advised her to seek a second opinion which then involved an ultrasound and CT. Liana then received the dreaded news that she has a ‘mass’ in her knee. At 23 years of age, this was extremely frightening, and she feared the worst, but hoped for the best.

She bravely went in for numerous tests including an MRI, PET scan and biopsy on the eve of her 24th birthday. Unfortunately, Liana received the news she had been dreading. Cancer; Osteosarcoma. The diagnosis rocked the tight knit family. Liana’s Mum, Dad, two younger siblings, her boyfriend and those closest to her rallied around her.

Liana has her whole life ahead of her. Your 20s are a short and precious time in life. You are gaining your independence and finding your place in the world. Liana is everything you could want in your child. She is kind, caring and striving to improve herself. She had just completed her studies as a nurse and was looking forward to commencing her first nursing job this year.
However, Liana entered the world of oncology as a patient, rather than the new nurse she planned to be this year.

She attended her first appointments at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to discover Osteosarcoma is ‘common’ between those 10-30 years old, but also rare as only 10-15 young people are diagnosed in Victoria and Tasmania each year. The treatment is intensive. It requires a ‘chemo-sandwich’. The plan was to complete intensive months of chemotherapy, endure a knee reconstruction or replacement and then further chemotherapy in 2-5 week cycles over 12 months.


Liana commenced the first stages of the chemotherapy with loving support from family and friends earlier this year. Liana has been unable to work due to the intensity of her treatment and the advice that she ‘eggshell’ walk on the left leg while using crutches due to the risk of spontaneous fracture to her fragile knee. The first rounds of chemotherapy have been long and tiring for Liana. She has been battling through pain, nausea, hair loss and crippling fatigue on her body. She has been informed to put her life on hold for at least 12 months.

 
Part 2:

So far, Liana has persisted through months of gruelling chemotherapy and towards the end of her first treatment in May 2021, she had a repeat MRI to check on the progress of the tumour. Sadly, the tumour has not shrunk. Due to the blood vessels that are entwined in the tumour, the only option for Liana is now an amputation of her left leg. Liana and her family are devastated with this news and are doing their best to process this. It is anticipated that Liana will undergo this surgery in early June 2021. Her family and friends are doing their best to support her and let her know that she will go on to have a fulfilling life. 

Part 3: 

At 24 years of age, Liana has now undergone a lifesaving leg amputation, but will need some time to recover, rehabilitate and learn to physically and mentally cope with this new way of living.
Liana’s family are locals to Geelong and are hard working. Her Dad, Jason is a truck driver and her Mum, Lois, a registered nurse. They have two younger sons who are in school to support also. 

Many people directly and indirectly in Liana’s life have been wondering how they can help. In time, Liana will be hoping to purchase a prosthetic limb which can cost upwards of $50,000. She will need to take an extended period of time off work to help her with her recovery. Lois is Liana’s Mum and is helping organise this fundraiser for Liana. All donations are going directly to Liana. Any donations you are able to give are gratefully accepted and will help Liana with her prosthesis and general cost of living while she recovers. Thank you so much to all you wonderful people who have provided so much love and support for Liana in this difficult time! xx

If you’d prefer to donate directly to a bank account: 

JW and LM Whitehand 

BSB: 633000

Account: 164500985