Travis T-Bone Turner is a well-known TV personality and co-host of the popular hunting show Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector on the Outdoor Channel. He is also a champion archer and a passionate hunter who has inspired many fans with his skills and charisma. However, in February 2022, he shocked his followers with a devastating health update: he revealed that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called fibrosarcoma, and that he had to undergo a leg amputation surgery as a result. Here is the story of how Travis T-Bone Turner’s cancer led to his leg amputation, and how he is coping with his condition.
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The Discovery of the Knot
According to HITC, it all started in July 2021, when Turner went to the hospital for an infected tick bite. While he was there, he asked the doctors about a knot that had appeared on his right shin a few weeks earlier. It was about the size of a grape, and it was located next to a hematoma (a bad bruise) that he had had for over 10 years from a hunting accident in Wisconsin. The doctors told him that it was probably nothing, but advised him to keep an eye on it.
However, the knot continued to grow. By mid-August, it had become bigger than a golf ball, and Turner decided to see his primary care doctor. He was then referred to a general surgeon, who ordered an MRI scan. The scan revealed that the knot was actually a tumor, and that there were two more tumors growing on either side of it. The surgeon performed a biopsy to determine the type of tumor and sent the samples to a lab for analysis.
The Diagnosis of Fibrosarcoma
Sadly, 10 days after the biopsy was performed, Turner received the devastating news: he was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma, a rare form of extremely fast-growing malignant cancer that affects the fibrous tissue in the body. According to SurvivorNet, fibrosarcoma can occur anywhere in the body, but it is most commonly found in the trunk, arms or legs. It can affect people of any age, but it is more prevalent among those between 20 and 60 years old.
Turner was shocked and scared by the diagnosis, but he did not lose hope. He consulted with several oncologists and specialists to find the best treatment option for his condition. He learned that fibrosarcoma is very aggressive and difficult to treat, and that there is no standard protocol for it. He also learned that his tumors were so large and intertwined with his leg muscle and bone that they could not be removed by surgery.
The Decision to Amputate
After weighing the pros and cons of different therapies, Turner decided to undergo chemotherapy to try to shrink his tumors and stop them from spreading. He started an intensive course of chemo in late October 2021, which lasted for several months. He endured many side effects from the treatment, such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue and pain. He also had to deal with the emotional and psychological impact of his cancer diagnosis, which affected not only him but also his family and friends.
Unfortunately, despite his efforts, the chemotherapy did not work as expected. A CT scan in January 2022 showed that there was no significant change in the size of his tumors, and that there was also a small nodule in his left lung that could indicate metastasis (the spread of cancer to other organs). At this point, Turner faced a tough decision: he could either continue with more chemo or other experimental treatments that had no guarantee of success, or he could opt for a leg amputation surgery that could potentially save his life.
Turner chose the latter option. He announced his decision on social media on February 1, 2022, saying that he would have his right leg amputated above the knee in the following week. He explained that this was his only chance to get rid of the cancer and prevent it from spreading further. He also expressed his gratitude for all the support and prayers he had received from his fans and followers, and asked them to keep him in their thoughts as he prepared for the surgery.
The Road to Recovery
Turner underwent the leg amputation surgery on February 8, 2022. The operation was successful, and he posted an update on Facebook later that day, saying that he was doing well and feeling optimistic about his future. He thanked everyone who had sent him messages of encouragement and love, and said that he was looking forward to getting back to hunting and shooting as soon as possible.
Since then, Turner has been recovering from the surgery and adjusting to his new life as an amputee. He has been sharing his progress on social media, posting pictures and videos of himself smiling, joking and having fun with his family and friends. He has also been receiving a lot of support and admiration from his fans and fellow hunters, who have praised him for his courage and resilience.
Turner has also been fitted with a prosthetic leg, which he is learning to use with the help of physical therapy. He has been practicing walking, standing and balancing with his new limb, and he has even been able to shoot his bow again. He has also been working on his mental health, staying positive and hopeful despite the challenges he faces.
Turner has not given up on his passion for hunting and shooting, and he has vowed to return to his show Bone Collector as soon as he can. He has also expressed his desire to raise awareness and funds for sarcoma research, and to inspire other people who are going through similar situations. He has shown that he is a true fighter and a bone collector, who does not let anything stop him from living his life to the fullest.
