Emotional Tribute: US Influencer with Cancer Holds Symbolic Funeral for Her Amputated Arm

Social media influencer Eldiara Doucette, also known as “Bionic Barbie,” held an emotional and symbolic funeral to bid goodbye to her amputated arm on January 15. The 22-year-old lost her right arm following a diagnosis of synovial sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer that first struck when she was 19. She felt persistent nerve pain that she described as an “untouchable beast” and used to place her hand in extremely hot water for relief.

Doucette had undergone chemotherapy, radiation, and even surgeries to fight this cancer that affects around 1000 people every year. Despite these treatments, the cancer recurred 3 times over a span of 3 years. Unfortunately, she underwent an above-elbow amputation of her right arm in October 2024 since her condition worsened due to a relapse.

She had written messages on her arm to acknowledge its role in her life and expressed her gratitude before the amputation surgery. A small group of family members, including her friends and boyfriend, joined her at the open-casket funeral of her embalmed arm, which was draped in a grey blanket, a red flower on the wrist, with the fingernails painted black.

Doucette documented her battle with synovial sarcoma on her social media and gained almost 510,000 followers and went viral after she posted a video series counting down the days to her amputation.

The social media influencer, who was dressed in black with a veil during the ceremony, posted pictures on her Instagram with a heartfelt caption to honor and remember the experience. She wrote, “I’ve played piano, guitar, ukulele, an act that I’ll never again get to experience. I always joke that my arm tried to kill me, but after looking at it on the table, seeing the scars it collected over the years, I realized it too was just a victim of this disease, and it made the ultimate sacrifice on my behalf.”

She concluded, “Anyways, I’m sorry this happened to us, but you served me well. Thanks for the good memories, the pain, and all the joy.”

Netizens are flooding the comment section with their emotions. One user commented, “This is such a cool idea. I’d be scared to hold my own hand thinking it’d grab me back,” and another wrote, “This is truly beautiful. I wish you healing and strength and never-ending love and humor.”

Looking forward to embracing her new identity as Bionic Barbie, she has decided to have a robotic prosthesis attached to a metal rod implanted into her body.

Reference:

1. MSN News. "US Woman Holds Funeral for Amputated Arm after Cancer Battle; Internet in Tears." MSN News, January 31, 2025. https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/other/us-woman-holds-funeral-for-amputated-arm-after-cancer-battle-internet-in-tears/ar-AA1yhbV8.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Nethra Suryanarayanan/MSM)