Angie's Story
Birthday: 13 June 1989
Location: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Diagnosis Date: 2008
Type of Sarcoma: Synovial Cell Sarcoma
Tumor Site: Right Hand
Age at time of Diagnosis: 19 years
Hospital:
Waikato - Hamilton NZ
Diagnosis Experience:
Hello, I first noticed a sensitive spot on my hand when I was 13(2003?), Went to doctors and
saw a specialist when I was 14, Went on a waiting list(as doctors didn't think it was that
important), and had operation when I was 16(2006), the doctors said it came back as a benign
'neuroma' and later said 'schwanoma'. It grew back in 2007 and was more painful and larger
and so they put me on another waiting list and last year (2008) on June 17th had another
surgery, had a phone call around a month later asking if I could go see them the following
day. The next day my mum and I went to hospital (I was hoping he was going to say your hand
is all better now go live your life!) Instead my surgeon (with tears in his eyes) said
unfortunately there are complications it is Sarcoma a rare cancer and we may have to amputate
and we have to do all these scans to make sure it hasn't spread! I was gob smacked as you are.
So I went on to have scans and stuff and they were all clear thankfully. I said no to amputation
and had 6 months of vegan diet, exercise, meditation, which helped alot. But then in December
08 I had a scan of hand and it showed residual of sarcoma. Which was very upsetting. I thought
about it for a while and decided to have the amputation.
Treatment:
Amputation. So I got mum to phone the surgeon to let him know. Next day I got a call saying it's
booked for next week (I was like woah that fast!) So I was pretty scared. First I asked for and
op to get the residual out just to MAKE SURE it was Sarcoma, and it was. So I had the op, woke
up and was like is it done yet? And the nurses said yes all done. I had no pain as they had a
'pain stopper' thing connected to the nerves in my arm and is so grateful about that. I didn't
need to have chemo or anything like that.
Recovery:
I thought that after the amputation I would be all depressed and stuff - but I have been great!
On Christmas day (about a week after surgery) I was running around with my nieces and nephews,
enjoying the sun and family.
Life Now:
Two weeks after my surgery I went camping for about a week at a music festival and with new friends.
I have done more this year 2009 that I have ever done! Have been jet boating, skydiving, snorkling,
horse riding. I just feel so much better since that horrible thing in my hand is gone. NO MORE PAIN.
Such a big stress gone. From now on I’m going to live my life, doing what I love doing. I'm very
grateful for all my family, and the hope that God gives me through his word. :-)
Thoughts:
Always have something to look forward to. Try new things. Do what your good at. Don't worry about
what anyone else thinks because the only thing that matters - is what you think!! If you can get
through this you can get through anything!!!!!!!!
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