Natalie Watt

Fragile Natalie Watt does not look like an invalid at all. Confident gait, radiant smile and incredible love of life.

Her day is scheduled literally by the minute. There is so much to do: gym, swimming pool, vocal studio, classes with my daughter.

New Year's quest for children. Natalie is a presenter at one of the stations.

But it wasn't always like that. 

— The disease was given to me to completely change, — says Natalie. — Before her, I lived in a fog: home, work — and that's it, no hobbies, aspirations. After giving birth, she weighed 82 kg, now — 61. It was hard to walk, shortness of breath tormented. And it also seemed that life was so boundless, long. I often thought, "It would be nice to do this or that." But I didn't do anything to implement anything. Like, someday everything will definitely happen, while I just wait. When I got sick, I realized that life is one and I need to live it to the maximum.

After giving birth, Natalie decided to get in shape. While working out at the gym, I twisted my leg. For a whole year, doctors diagnosed her with all sorts of diagnoses — from a sprain to a fracture. As a result, it turned out to be cancer.

— My leg hurt terribly, I couldn't step on it. I visited a lot of doctors, trying to find out what was wrong with me. There were both paid and free specialists. At first, sprains were treated. Then they said it was a fracture. She spent two months in a cast. The doctor took it off. I explain that my leg still hurts. He in response: "Even the grandmothers of 80-year-olds after two months, everything grows together. Go!" And it hurts me more than it used to. As a result, I did a tomography for a fee. The CT scan showed that I have talus necrosis. With a huge amount of research — MRI, CT scan, X—ray, ultrasound - I went to Germany. The doctors there suggested that I had osteoporosis. A cast was applied. They began to treat. Two months later, the leg swelled up. She began to burst out of plaster, like dough from a saucepan. I returned to the clinic. I had an MRI, ultrasound, X-ray again. The professor studied everything for a long time, and then said: "Well, well, you're not our client. You have cancer." Mom — in tears, looking at her, and me.

— When you are not personally confronted with cancer, you try to drive away any information about oncology from yourself, you close yourself: "I'm in the house, I'm fine!" Every person is sure that this will not happen to him. Before my illness, I didn't notice much: I have not seen people on crutches, with a cane, in wheelchairs on the street. 

The diagnosis was a complete surprise for me, as if a brick had fallen on my head. I didn't know where to go. I came across an oncological center on the Internet. I read good reviews. I went there with the Talmud of my research. I was so well received! The doctor worked with me for two hours. They immediately said that this would not be an organ-preserving operation. I completely trusted the doctors. Of course, I didn't immediately accept what would happen. Of course, I felt sorry for myself. But if the doctors said that it is necessary to amputate the leg, then it is necessary.

After surgery and rehabilitation, I was given a prosthesis. At the prosthetic company, I met a wonderful prosthetist, who turned out to be an Ortho-M specialist, and I still have prosthetics with him by the way. Now I have two prostheses — for bathing and with a cosmetic shell. For bathing — iron, without a cosmetic shell, an iron pipe connecting the foot and the culvert sleeve is visible. I wear it in the summer. I'm not shy — yes, you can see him, yes, they pay attention to me. The cosmetic prosthesis is less noticeable — it repeats the shape of the leg, but it is with a stocking. I won't torture myself and wear nylon tights in the heat! I remember walking into the store in shorts once. The child stands and stares at me intently, then brings another baby and says: "Look, aunt is a robot!"

- I have never driven a car. Madly afraid. Although in a dream I saw that I was driving a tractor. After the operation, I realized that I couldn't do without a car. It took me a while to find a driving school. Many of them teach only mechanics, but I need a car with an automatic transmission. It was exciting and great to study. Traveled all over the city.

Then I had the idea to fix — ride a scooter. I doubted: suddenly nothing would work out. I tried it. It turned out so great! In the mornings, I dissected it in Central Park, alternately changing my legs. 

Natalie goes to the pool, plays tennis, does powerlifting. She managed to be among the three strongest athletes in the city, region, Italy and even in the European Championship in Russian bench press. And all this on a prosthesis! And last year Natalie performed at the World Paramusical Festival. — She sang accompanied by a symphony orchestra. It's unforgettable! — she says.

— In fact, cancer is not a sentence. You need to understand, not for what, but for what this disease is given to you. Everything in this life happens for a reason.