Spencer's Story
Synovial Cell Sarcoma
Tumor Site: Right Knee
Age at time of Diagnosis: 12 years
Date of Diagnosis: March 11, 2004
Location: McKinney, Texas, USA
Hospital:
Childrens Medical Center of Dallas
Oncologist:
Dr. Patrick Leavey - Chemo; Dr. Munoz - Radiation; Dr. Gerhardt Maale - Orthopedic Oncologist
Surgeon:
Dr. Gerhardt Maale
His Story:
You can see Spencer's full Story by clicking here:
http://www.spencerswebpage.com/spztaylor0620/journal.html
Cancer Experience:
Spencer had surgery on March 5, 2004 to repair what was thought to be a torn tendon and a
bursa sac that didn't drain. He had been having problems with his knee for 3 years and we
went to 7 different doctors. We got everything from torn tendon, to bursitis, to 'he
probably didn't want to go to school that day'. One week after the surgery to 'repair
the tendon and drain the bursa sac', the surgeon called to say that 'the fluid was not
what they expected. We've sent the slides to the Mayo Clinic. It looks like we may be
looking at a tumor'. We were referred to an oncologist. March 16, 2004-met with a Sarcoma
specialist and orthopedic surgeon. The tumor was thought to be a sarcoma, confirmed to be
malignant, still waiting on what kind of sarcoma. March 26, 2004-tumor confirmed to be
Synovial Sarcoma. March 30, 2004-first treatments started. 3 rounds of Adriamycin and 10
rounds of high dose radiation. Neither is to treat the tumor, they are both used to prepare,
possibly shrink the tumor for surgery. May 10, 2004-radical resection of tumor, including
the patella, most of the quad and a synovectomy. Clear margins were obtained. September 11,
2006-recurrence in leg. Immediate chemotherapy-2 five day rounds of Etoposide, Ifosfamide
and Mesna, amputation scheduled after recovery from chemotherapy. October 31, 2006-spots
found on lungs. Four rounds of Adriamycin. Scans afterwards showed tumors on lungs growing
and multiplying-amputation cancelled-'if we can't cure the lungs, there is no need to do
an amputation' January 18, 2007-Phase I Trial-Sunitinib-2 28 day cycles; March 19,
2007-Phase II Trial-Topotecan and Cyclophosphamide-2 Cycles; June 20, 2007-Vinorelbine/Cyclophosphomide...3
treatments of Vinorelbine and 28 days of Cyclophosphomide; August 3, 2007-Thalidomide August 11,
2007-stopped Thalidomide
Spencer's Legacy:
Spencer had a way of reaching out to people in a very quiet, very unique way. He had a way of saying
things that made people stop and think.
You can click here to get to Spencer's Web Page:
www.spencerswebpage.com
Life Now:
It's hard. It's a daily struggle with many, many different emotions that happen within that day.
We've learned that even though we might not want to get out of bed that day, the future doesn't
stop...life around you keeps happening and you have to make the choice to keep putting one foot
in front of the other.
Advice:
Hope and pray. Cherish each day. Know that you are not alone. It's easy to say not to worry about
the future, but sometimes it just creeps up on you, but if you can, let it go, enjoy each day and
when the 'future' gets there, you will face whatever you must then. Sometimes the things we worried
about the most, never come to be.
Spencer, Oh how you are missed. We miss your
grins, we miss your smart remarks, we miss your quietness, and we miss your strength. You are forever
in our hearts and on our minds. You created a light in this world that will forever shine, and that
void you left behind will never be filled. We are trying our best to keep going. You set the example,
we're just trying to follow your lead, although, it's not so easy without you beside us. It goes
without saying - we love you.
Love Mom, Dad, and Zachary
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