My work gives me real pleasure and moves me forward

My name is Svetlana, I am 28 and I want to tell my story. Until I was 19 years old, I lived a normal carefree life. In the first year of university I pulled my leg, there was pain and swelling under the knee and only a year and a half later I was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. I underwent a course of treatment and returned to normal life, resumed my studies. However, due to the negligence of doctors I missed a relapse and the disease returned with metastases. Since then, the disease is constantly making itself felt.

In 2019, when another relapse occurred, the doctor put me in front of a choice: to go home and undergo chemotherapy and rays in my regional oncology clinic (they frankly explained that the tumor will not disappear anywhere anyway) or to agree to amputation and try to fight further. I chose the second one. And, despite all the difficulties, I have not regretted it so far.

After 4 months I received my prosthesis and started to learn to walk again. I can’t say that I did it right away, it took me a long time to get used to it. The prosthesis constantly caused discomfort and did not fit properly.

After the amputation I had a lot of free time and during this period I started to get interested in epoxy resin products. Every evening my mother and I would go for a walk and after each walk we would bring plants, which I then dried. That’s how my little business of making jewelry out of resin and flowers was formed. This work gives me real pleasure and moves me forward.

Although I have been unlucky with my health, I have been fortunate to have a great family. It is the support of my family and friends that helps me to cope with everything and move on with my life.

To everyone who is going through a difficult period, whether it is an amputation or something else, I wish you not to lose faith in yourself and your abilities. Even if slowly and in small steps, but persistently go to your goal.

This is the second time I have come to the Tellus Center to have my prosthesis repaired. Now I am getting used to the liner and working on improving my gait. I really want to walk straight and without additional support. I plan to receive my new prosthesis here as well.

Thank you to all the staff at the center for their hospitality and professionalism. The Tellus Center has a modern approach to prosthetics and is truly “in step with the times”.