I Just Found Out I Have Cancer and I am Scared!

first of all..HUGS..your life is about to change...

I too had cancer in my leg i had to have an amputation,

and this may sound strange to you, but it was the best thingfor me, I realize God does bless us , even if it sounds like cancer..Thru my situation I have learned so many things about life and I show others and children that cancer isnt a death sentence..and losing a leg doesnt mean life is over..I wanted the younger people to know and understand all of it..Now when they see someone who is bald from chemo or missing a leg ..they dont stare cause they look strange they stare then go to then and ask questions ...It changes everything for the ill person...I was scared too guess I still am esp when it returned a yr later.

But this is your time to grow and know you will be in my prayers

Thanks for your reply!  A lot has happend since I first wrote that letter in 2005!  I had 2 surgeries and radiation since it was a low grade sarcoma.  In July of this year I went back for tests again and so far so good, my leg has no sign of cancer.  My orthopedic surgeon also made me take c.t. scan of my chest, pelvis and abdomen.  They found 5 small spots on my lungs but since that first time of finding them, about 1 year ago, there is only 1 spot left!  Praise God!  They have now found a spot on my uterus and some suspicious looking dark spots on my breast, so, now I have to have more tests to rule out cancer for these!  I am doing quite well, I can walk, with the help of physical therapy, I have to wear a support sock on my leg because my lymph system was 'messed up' with all the surgeries, but other than that I am okay!  I will pray for you too!  I trust in God and believe all of his promises and we just need prayer and faith!!!!  Thank-you so much for responding to my letter!  It really does mean a lot to me!  Many blessing to you and yours!

On 7/6/2005 Elizabeth H. wrote:

Geri, I just checked message board 7/5 to see your note. I am 10 year survivor of sarcoma which was thought to be a cyst in my ankle. After surgeries for a tissue graft and 6 weeks radiation, I was back at work. 3 years ago, I had another battle.Your feelings are quite normal.Good nutrition plan is helpful, faith and prayer for me was and is vital in the war as Terry so aptly names it. Think of yourself as a cancer warrior, not a victim. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Elizabeth

Elizabeth, you responded to my message in 2005 and I was just wondering how you were doing?  Geri

On 9/21/2005 Niema wrote:

I was reading you message an was concerned to see how you made out after being diagnosed. Did they amputate you leg after removing what they thought was a cyst? My Best Friend is going through kind of the same thing. She was diagnosed about 4 monthss ago with sarcoma in her leg also. She has started her Chemo and I was wondering if I should share some of the information that I read on line with her. I don't want her to give up hope though. What I have read on a weekly basis may make her change her mind.

Hi, I was wondering since your friend had her cancer in 2005, how is she doing?  Geri

On 8/2/2006 Toothpaste wrote:

DEAR JUDI, My name is Teresa. My husband has just been diagnosed with Sarcoma ( upper right tricept) in the beginning of July. weve been going to doctors and specialists and nothing has happened yet. His Oncologist forgot to send the info. to the other doctors that we are supposed to see. It is fo frustating going to the plastic surgen and asking why we are hear today because she has no clue. I am also thinking about getting ahold of someone at U of M. My husband told me to wait on consulting any one else. I am the only one that has been reasurching. I can not find anything that is promising. I am scared for him, he seems like its not bothering him. I am just tired of waiting. Tis thing is 18inches long and 23 inches around. Sincerely, Teresa H.

Hello, I was wondering how you and your husband are doing since this posting?  Geri

6  yrs ago I had a Dermatofibro Sarcoma Protruberans in my left thigh.  I first went to a dermotoligst who did a biopys.  When the results came back he said is wasnt cancerous.  Sent me to a plastic surgeon to remove this tumor.  Nor did i know at the time what stage it was in. Or given any treatment after surgey.  Now i find out that it was cancerous.

I wished i would of known then what i know now about sarcomas.   Because now i have been dianosed again with a soft tissue sarcoma in my right lung.  I was told that according to the biopys that it is a recurance of what i had in my thigh.  I had my slides from my thigh and lung biopsy sent to sloan kettering. They believe that is what caused the lung cancer.  Where i will be going for a consalitation  on the 7th of september. To see what kind of treatment can be done. I will find out what stage im at etc. I happen to go to my obgyn for a full check up and the dr does every thing when it comes to a check up. 

Im so upset over this.  First of all the dermotoligst should of sent me to a cancer specilist not a plastic surgeon. Second Im a single parent with teenage kids and no place to leave them  If i happen to find out im terminal not to mention my social life took a nose dive. You tell someone you have cancer and right away they have you on your death bed.  Its bad enough i have another thing to deal with that i didnt want.  They dont need to make it any worse by running the other way.

On 9/3/2007 Nippatina wrote:

6  yrs ago I had a Dermatofibro Sarcoma Protruberans in my left thigh.  I first went to a dermotoligst who did a biopys.  When the results came back he said is wasnt cancerous.  Sent me to a plastic surgeon to remove this tumor.  Nor did i know at the time what stage it was in. Or given any treatment after surgey.  Now i find out that it was cancerous.

I wished i would of known then what i know now about sarcomas.   Because now i have been dianosed again with a soft tissue sarcoma in my right lung.  I was told that according to the biopys that it is a recurance of what i had in my thigh.  I had my slides from my thigh and lung biopsy sent to sloan kettering. They believe that is what caused the lung cancer.  Where i will be going for a consalitation  on the 7th of september. To see what kind of treatment can be done. I will find out what stage im at etc. I happen to go to my obgyn for a full check up and the dr does every thing when it comes to a check up. 

Im so upset over this.  First of all the dermotoligst should of sent me to a cancer specilist not a plastic surgeon. Second Im a single parent with teenage kids and no place to leave them  If i happen to find out im terminal not to mention my social life took a nose dive. You tell someone you have cancer and right away they have you on your death bed.  Its bad enough i have another thing to deal with that i didnt want.  They dont need to make it any worse by running the other way.

Hi!  Your scenario sounds just like mine.  5 years ago, I had a small hard spot removed from my back.  Last year, I visited the same surgeon and he said I had a mass back there that I couldn't detect.  All we could see was a funny-looking area where the first surgery had been.  It hurt when I leaned back on it.   They said it wasn't Cancer.  I had a total excision surgery for this Aug. 2006.  They took wide margins clear down to the muscle.  I had a wound vac for two months and a second attempt at a skin graft. (The first one failed -- which I still say was stupid to try with a huge wound like that!)  So I have had to endure two skin graft donor sites and let me tell you, I would not wish that on my worst enemy!  But that's another part of the story.

4 months later, Spring, 2007, I felt two lumps in my left armpit.  Guess what?  Same type of cells.  Surgeons removed them and I was pronounced clear!  

4 months later, again, I have multiple lumps in the same armpit and NOW I decide to get to an Oncologist and have been to University of Chicago to see their Oncology Specialist.  A treatment plan is being devised as soon as they finally decide what the lumps are (I have already had biopsies and a PET scan).  This Dr. says it is Sarcoma and that Dermatofibroma Protruberans is a form of Cancer.  So we need to treat it that way!

 So I can totally relate!  I should have been referred to the Specialist to begin with.