Sarah's Story
Birthday: March 25, 1948
Location: Virginia, USA
Diagnosis Date: August 4, 2008
Type of Sarcoma: Myxoid Liposarcoma
Tumor Site: Left leg from knee to hip
Age at time of Diagnosis: 60 years
Hospital:
Wake Forest Baptist Hospital , Winston Salem NC
Oncologist:
Dr. Pierce - Noton Cancer Center
Surgeon:
Scott C. Wilson, M.D.
Diagnosis Experience:
I first realized something was not right when I noticed one of my legs were larger than the other.
I showed the leg to 2 - 3 doctors I was seeing at the time for other matters. I was told everything
from it was nothing that I just had a fat leg! I went on about 2 years. I was getting fatigued and
slept or stayed in bed 2 - 3 days at a time. The doctor I was seeing thought I had Fybromyelgia and
put me on Lyrica, from which I immediately gained 20 lbs. in a month, adding to my misery. Finally
one day I saw a Nurse Practitioner instead of my regular doctor. I ask her to take a look at my leg.
I also have a lump and swollen elbow and the doctors are not sure what caused that either. Thank
God, the Nurse Practitioner ordered a Sonogram and when nothing showed up on my films the x-ray
Technician said she was going to recommend an MRI. Then I was diagnosed with Liposarcoma. The tumor
was huge and down deep under the muscles. My local doctor sent me to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital,
to Dr. Wilson for evaluation. He told me I needed a biopsy to find out for sure what type of cancer
I had. The biopsy came back positive for myxoid liposarcoma, level one, slow growing type.
Treatment:
On Aug. 04 - 08 I had Lipo Resection and removal of the cancer (about 13 inch incision.) I spent 4 days
in the hospital there. I went back for my check up and to have the stitches removed on Aug. 21 - 08. I
was told the Cancer had not spread and I would not need chemo/radiation at this time. I rely on prayer
and healing from God but I must say, Wake Forest is a very good hospital and the doctors were very good
to me. Thank God for a Nurse Practitioner in Va. and these doctors in NC. Thank God for my daughter who
stayed with me two weeks and all my family who took care of me during my illness.
Recovery:
I had a few therapy sessions. I'm doing great now. I've gone from a walker to cane. I carry my cane now
mostly for support when my leg gets weak at times. I don't see myself using it for more than another month
or so.
Life Now:
I'm a Widow and live alone. Being a woman we worry about our looks. I do have a scar from my hip to knee,
but it's getting lighter every day. The doctor says my scar will not be so noticeable. I'm using vitamin E
1000lu CAPSULES and I also bought some scar crème. I'm back to almost normal now and I'm going on a bus tour
to Nova Scotia, New England, vacation soon.!
Thoughts:
No matter how bad things looks just trust God and prayer.
Update 9-29-08
I was able to take the Coach Tour for 12 days to Nova Scotia & New England .( Sept 06-17- 08 ) .
I had a wonderful vacation and hardly any pain . I did get tired easily which is understandable.
I know prayer works for me and a positive attitude .
Photo taken at " Peggy's Cove , Nova Scotia , " Sept.10 - 08
Update 12-21-08
This is update for Sarah ; I went back for check up in November 2008 . I was told then that I should have a
check up MRI done and maybe Radiation Treatments on my leg . All my tests were good , no more cancer . But
it's possible the surgeon didn't get all the cancer cells .
Dr. Wilson recommend I have Radiation Treatments 7- weeks and 5 times a week . I've had my second one and am doing good so far .
Just wanted to say , may God bless and heal each one of you that has cancer . Merry Christmas & Happy New year ,
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