Love has the power to overcome a seemingly unbearable fate. Kate Foster is a shining example of how the love from her family and her love for gymnastics saved her during her battle with cancer. She has practiced gymnastics since age 6, spending more than 25 hours in the gym each week in training. Around age 11, she found that she was constantly ill and was bruising extremely easily. A blood test discovered that she had acute myeloid leukemia, which meant that she was going to have to suffer through aggressive chemotherapy to beat her cancer. As chemotherapy does, her immune system was entirely destroyed. In addition to battling her cancer, she began to have to battle infection after infection that would occur due to her lack of immunity. Unfortunately, she contracted a gangrene infection that spread to her knee joint. The only option to keep Kate alive was amputation.
“I’ve never taught a one-legged gymnast before, but I’m willing to try if you are,” Kate’s gymnast coach told her. This loving statement was what pushed Kate through the suffering of losing a limb. Now three years cancer-free, Kate is still a competitive gymnast that does not allow her prosthetic leg to hold her back. She is pursuing a career in medicine, so that she can save the lives of others the same way doctors saved her life… because Love Heals!
