Mom Had Her Leg Amputated After Cancer Diagnosis. Now She’s Undergoing Another ‘High Risk’ Procedure After Tumors Were Found on Her Spine

**Mother Faces Life-Altering Battle Against Rare Cancer as She Prepares for Major Surgery**

Sam Butler, a 41-year-old mother from Bexleyheath, London, is on the brink of a significant surgical procedure as she continues to confront the challenges posed by giant cell tumours (GCTs). Having already endured a leg amputation and multiple surgeries over the past three years, Butler’s journey through this rare form of cancer has been incredibly difficult.

Butler’s ordeal began in 2020 when she was first diagnosed with GCTs. These tumours, while generally non-cancerous, can lead to critical complications, and her case is particularly unusual, given that only about 4% of GCTs transition into malignant cancers, as reported by the Cleveland Clinic. Despite the typically benign nature of these tumours, Butler’s condition has deteriorated, necessitating invasive medical intervention.

Since her diagnosis, she has undergone five surgeries targeting her legs, culminating in her right leg being amputated above the knee. As Butler gears up for a complex three-part spinal surgery aimed at removing tumours from her spine, her sister, Jodie King, has started a GoFundMe campaign to alleviate some of the mounting medical expenses.

The emotional toll of Butler’s situation has been profound. King described the harrowing experience of witnessing her sister in intensive care following surgery, grappling with the reality of assisted breathing after sustaining significant injuries during procedures. “Nothing can prepare you for watching someone you love in intensive care on a ventilator, learning how to breathe again after their lungs were punctured and their aorta was nicked during surgery,” King shared, addressing the immense challenges faced during Butler’s recovery.

Butler’s medical team had initially downplayed the severity of her tumours due to her relatively young age. However, they later revealed that the tumours on her spine would have been deemed “inoperable” if she had delayed treatment further. Between surgeries, Butler has also received chemotherapy, striving to manage her illness with resilience.

The impact of her battle with cancer has ripple effects on her family, especially her seven-year-old daughter, Florence. King reflected on the profound changes Butler has endured, stating, “I can’t imagine losing a limb to cancer, it’s such a major life adjustment.” The close bond between the sisters has made the struggle all the more difficult, with Butler navigating feelings of loneliness and depression as she confronts the realities of her condition.

As her sister’s situation remains precarious, King explained that doctors consider Butler’s cancer “incurable,” and they have warned that recurrence is likely within a year, even after her upcoming surgery. “How many times can you get knocked down before you give up?” King asked, expressing admiration for Butler’s ongoing strength in the face of tremendous adversity.

The GoFundMe campaign launched by King aims not only to assist with medical costs but also to foster a sense of community support for Butler. “Our greatest hope is to help Sam find her way back to the person she has always been – the loving, funny, vibrant soul we all adore,” the campaign’s description emphasised. The recovery process, it states, requires more than just physical healing; it necessitates an emotional framework built on encouragement and belief.

As of now, the GoFundMe has successfully raised £21,605 towards a target of £24,000, indicating the widespread compassion for Butler’s plight. Every contribution is viewed as a step towards helping Butler regain her physical and mental strength during this testing time.

With her surgery approaching, Butler remains surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends. The challenges ahead are daunting, but the collective hope for recovery carries on. As she prepares to enter this next phase of treatment, many are rallying around her, united in the belief that compassion can help navigate the stormy seas of hardship and illness.