Karley Branch has been through chemotherapy, physical therapy, surgeries and recovery from the removal of a cancerous spinal tumor since spring of last semester.

Last year, Karley was an active goalie on the freshman soccer team as well as member of the JV softball team. Nonetheless, in the spring, Karley had surgery to remove a tumor from her lower spine the day after doctors discovered it. According to Stacy Branch, Karley’s mother, doctors predicted Karley would be paralyzed, never again able to practice in sports.

“Originally, the doctors and physical therapist said I would never walk again,” Karley, sophomore, said. “But I am able to walk now, and I’m working on walking without assistance.”

Five days later, Karley was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer, a rare cancer found primarily in teenage girls. After a failed attempt to remove the tumor, Karley received six rounds of chemotherapy treatment to shrink the tumor. A second surgery triumphed and the tumor was removed Aug. 19.

“I think you value life itself more [when you realize] one day you could be fine and the next day it could be a totally different story,” Stacy said.

According to Karley, the surgery was extremely painful as doctors had to remove one of her ribs. Karley said the most agonizing part has been the muscle spasms in her back caused by the surgery. Also, to ensure the cancer will not return, chemotherapy treatment until December is necessary.

According to Stacy as of Aug. 30, Karley is at home after spending two months at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The surgery caused muscle outbursts resulting in extensive physical therapy at Rankin Jordon, a pediatric specialty hospital providing rehabilitation. Karley, now able to walk with a walker, is working to develop balance and essentially re-learning to walk on her feet.

“When she came out of surgery the doctors told her she would never walk again. So she defied the odds,” Stacy said.

According to both Karley and Stacy, Karley is physically weak from the most recent surgery and the chemotherapy. She remains mostly in bed at home. However, she did make an appearance at the softball pictures this year to support her team as they take on a new season. She’s working on becoming as strong as she can and ideally returning to KHS by second semester.

“She’s a fighter and cancer can never bring her down,” Madison Shead, sophomore, said.“She always has a smile on her face and I never see her in a bad mood.”

According to Shead, Karley’s determination has touched her teammates and the Kirkwood community. Her recovery and outlook on her situation has brought a new optimism for everyone Maddie Coffin, junior, said.

“[Karley is] someone that you can look up to and [she is] always doing her best,” Coffin, said. “She isn’t someone that would give up on anything.”

According to Karley, she feels a new hope now that she is in recovery and cancer-free. Karley has no fear of her cancer returning but rather hope for her hair growing back and walking.

“I thought losing my hair was going to be awful but after going through everything else it’s not that big of a deal,” Karley said. “I know that my hair is going to grow back.”

Cancer has given Karley a new perspective on life. According to Stacy, the little daily activities, like running, are now things Karley has to struggle to do, not to mention much assistance from family and Stacy.

Stacy referred to the determination Karley has to walk by saying, “It’s one thing when you say you’re going to do something instead of saying whether your body is going to let you do it.”

According to Karley, no matter what the doctors said, she believes she will walk again. According to Stacy, Karley made a promise that she would walk again, and she is gradually working toward her goal.

“I wish I would have appreciated walking and running more, now I have to think about every step I take,” Karley said. “I will never take for granted moving freely.”