Sydney tradie, 22, falls at work, gets shock diagnosis
Cooper Starling, from Sydney, had a fall at work in January 2025, after suffering from constant pains in his knee for a few months.
After, he went to his local GP, who suspected an issue with Mr Starling's meniscus, and the tradie was sent for some scans.
The following day the then 21-year-old had a CAT scan and an ultrasound. Forty minutes later, he received a phone call to tell him he needed to come back right away, this time so doctors could perform a different scan with contrast dye to give them a clearer understanding of the issue.
'Two hours later, I was sitting in my GP's office and was told I had a rare form of bone cancer, and I'd need an urgent biopsy to make sure that's what it was,' he told news.com.au.
He had the biopsy, confirming the cancer diagnosis, and two weeks later he was having his first round of chemotherapy.
Mr Starling said his immediate reaction was, 'I am going to die'.
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'You hear a lot of negative stories about cancer, you don't hear many positive ones. It was a very scary time. I thought my whole world had come crashing down on me — but that couldn't have been further than the truth,' he said.
Mr Starling revealed he suffered really bad nausea and vomiting after every meal for days after chemotherapy treatment. He said he struggled to drink water as it tasted like metal, and foods he used to love he couldn't deal with the smell of.
Mr Starling also lost weight very quickly as a result of his treatment, stating it was a 'scary' time for him that impacted his mental health. Being forced to stay in hospital for long periods of time didn't help.
The experience was surreal for someone who had only been in hospital once or twice before. He said one of the hardest parts of the ordeal was having to watch his partner, Tori, lie in a recliner chair next to his hospital bed. He said he had an incredible support system, but it was difficult to see the cancer impact the people that he loved.
Mr Starling was eventually told that his best bet at beating the cancer was to have his leg amputated — a conversation he called his 'worst day'.
But, he knew he had no choice. The surgery to remove his leg took place in April — just four months after his diagnosis.
'There aren't really words to describe it. You have an overwhelming sense of anxiety. You have no idea what your life is going to look like. There are so many things that can go wrong,' he said.
He said he had no idea how he was going to feel, if and when he'd get a prosthetic, questions about whether NDIS would accept him or if his parents would have to take out bank loans to help support him, would he get an infection — which only served to compound his anxiety.
'But, when someone tells you if you don't amputate your leg, we can't 100 per cent confirm your survival, you just have to sort of get on with it. You don't really have the choice to be upset,' he said.
'And that sounds horrible — and don't get me wrong, there have been times when I cried myself to sleep. There have been times I've had panic attacks and sleepless nights. But there wasn't anything I could do so there wasn't any point being sad about it.'
Since his surgery in April, Mr Starling now has a prosthetic leg and took his first steps earlier this month.
He said his whole life has changed, but he is now completely independent and can dress and shower himself, as well as drive, pump his own fuel and go to the shopping centre on his own in the wheelchair. He said it was a situation where if you 'don't laugh, you'll cry' and he just wanted to focus on making every day count.
'I don't really remember my life with two legs anymore,' he said.
And while the year has had some of the most cruel and punishing moments Mr Starling will likely ever face, there has been some light.
From the moment he was diagnosed with cancer, he knew he didn't want anything getting in the way of letting his partner of almost two years, Tori, knowing how much he loved her. So, he proposed — and she said yes.
'I wanted her to know that being by my side wasn't for nothing, I've known since they day that I met her I wanted to marry her and I thought this was my opportunity,' he said.
'I couldn't get down on one knee like I initially planned but I have my prosthetic now so there will be plenty of dancing at the wedding. I am sure I will make up for it.'
The plan is for a longer engagement, after Mr Starling finishes his chemotherapy and continues to adjust to life with a prosthetic leg.
Then they will have an engagement party, travel and move out after having to move back in with his parents due to his diagnosis.
Tori isn't the only support that Mr Starling has had during this incredibly tumultuous year.
'My mum and dad have been so supportive of me. They converted a downstairs bedroom when I lost my leg, because I couldn't get up the stairs,' he explained.
'Dad's ripped out shower screen doors to make sure I have access to get in and out with my wheelchair.
'My partner just has been a heaven sent. She hasn't missed a single appointment. I've never slept a night in hospital alone.
'All my friends have been so supportive. They've all come to visit me, constantly bringing me food and comfy clothes for the hospital. I've had a big support network, which has made it that little bit easier,' he said.
Currently, Mr Starling is cancer free. He had a CT chest scan three weeks ago that came back all clear. Next month, and he will have his last round of chemotherapy and then hopefully it will be 'back to living his life'.
Mr Starling is sharing his story to support the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. He said the nurses and oncology team had been incredible, and he said without them he didn't think he would still be alive. He said he owed everything to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. He and his best friend Tyson will be doing 100km, with Mr Starling in his wheelchair, for the Go the Distance campaign. So far, they have raised $10,000 and the event hasn't even begun yet.
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A 22-year-old tradie revealed how a fall exposed a rare form of cancer that required him to have his leg removed — and the one thing he knew he wanted to do the moment he was diagnosed. Cooper Starling, from Sydney, had a fall at work in January 2025, after suffering from constant pains in his knee for a few months. After, he went to his local GP, who suspected an issue with Mr Starling's meniscus, and the tradie was sent for some scans. The following day the then 21-year-old had a CAT scan and an ultrasound. Forty minutes later, he received a phone call to tell him he needed to come back right away, this time so doctors could perform a different scan with contrast dye to give them a clearer understanding of the issue. 'Two hours later, I was sitting in my GP's office and was told I had a rare form of bone cancer, and I'd need an urgent biopsy to make sure that's what it was,' he told He had the biopsy, confirming the cancer diagnosis, and two weeks later he was having his first round of chemotherapy. Mr Starling said his immediate reaction was, 'I am going to die'. For Australia's best lifestyle coverage — download the app direct to your phone. 'You hear a lot of negative stories about cancer, you don't hear many positive ones. It was a very scary time. I thought my whole world had come crashing down on me — but that couldn't have been further than the truth,' he said. Mr Starling revealed he suffered really bad nausea and vomiting after every meal for days after chemotherapy treatment. He said he struggled to drink water as it tasted like metal, and foods he used to love he couldn't deal with the smell of. Mr Starling also lost weight very quickly as a result of his treatment, stating it was a 'scary' time for him that impacted his mental health. Being forced to stay in hospital for long periods of time didn't help. The experience was surreal for someone who had only been in hospital once or twice before. He said one of the hardest parts of the ordeal was having to watch his partner, Tori, lie in a recliner chair next to his hospital bed. He said he had an incredible support system, but it was difficult to see the cancer impact the people that he loved. Mr Starling was eventually told that his best bet at beating the cancer was to have his leg amputated — a conversation he called his 'worst day'. But, he knew he had no choice. The surgery to remove his leg took place in April — just four months after his diagnosis. 'There aren't really words to describe it. You have an overwhelming sense of anxiety. You have no idea what your life is going to look like. There are so many things that can go wrong,' he said. He said he had no idea how he was going to feel, if and when he'd get a prosthetic, questions about whether NDIS would accept him or if his parents would have to take out bank loans to help support him, would he get an infection — which only served to compound his anxiety. 'But, when someone tells you if you don't amputate your leg, we can't 100 per cent confirm your survival, you just have to sort of get on with it. You don't really have the choice to be upset,' he said. 'And that sounds horrible — and don't get me wrong, there have been times when I cried myself to sleep. There have been times I've had panic attacks and sleepless nights. But there wasn't anything I could do so there wasn't any point being sad about it.' Since his surgery in April, Mr Starling now has a prosthetic leg and took his first steps earlier this month. He said his whole life has changed, but he is now completely independent and can dress and shower himself, as well as drive, pump his own fuel and go to the shopping centre on his own in the wheelchair. He said it was a situation where if you 'don't laugh, you'll cry' and he just wanted to focus on making every day count. 'I don't really remember my life with two legs anymore,' he said. And while the year has had some of the most cruel and punishing moments Mr Starling will likely ever face, there has been some light. From the moment he was diagnosed with cancer, he knew he didn't want anything getting in the way of letting his partner of almost two years, Tori, knowing how much he loved her. So, he proposed — and she said yes. 'I wanted her to know that being by my side wasn't for nothing, I've known since they day that I met her I wanted to marry her and I thought this was my opportunity,' he said. 'I couldn't get down on one knee like I initially planned but I have my prosthetic now so there will be plenty of dancing at the wedding. I am sure I will make up for it.' The plan is for a longer engagement, after Mr Starling finishes his chemotherapy and continues to adjust to life with a prosthetic leg. Then they will have an engagement party, travel and move out after having to move back in with his parents due to his diagnosis. Tori isn't the only support that Mr Starling has had during this incredibly tumultuous year. 'My mum and dad have been so supportive of me. They converted a downstairs bedroom when I lost my leg, because I couldn't get up the stairs,' he explained. 'Dad's ripped out shower screen doors to make sure I have access to get in and out with my wheelchair. 'My partner just has been a heaven sent. She hasn't missed a single appointment. I've never slept a night in hospital alone. 'All my friends have been so supportive. They've all come to visit me, constantly bringing me food and comfy clothes for the hospital. I've had a big support network, which has made it that little bit easier,' he said. Currently, Mr Starling is cancer free. He had a CT chest scan three weeks ago that came back all clear. Next month, and he will have his last round of chemotherapy and then hopefully it will be 'back to living his life'. Mr Starling is sharing his story to support the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. He said the nurses and oncology team had been incredible, and he said without them he didn't think he would still be alive. He said he owed everything to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. He and his best friend Tyson will be doing 100km, with Mr Starling in his wheelchair, for the Go the Distance campaign. So far, they have raised $10,000 and the event hasn't even begun yet.
