Sarah Friedman's Profile Page

Biography

Hi there. Sarah here. I am 23 years old and randomly woke up to find a lump on my left shoulder. Thinking it was a rotator cuff injury, I made a doctor appointment a few days later. Unable to tell what it was, the doctor gave me an x-ray, which was inconclusive. She recommended me to see an orthopedic, who then ordered an MRI. The results of the MRI were concerning, so the orthopedic doctor set up an appointment at the Univ. Of Minnesota for further testing. I got a biopsy, which concluded that the lump was cancerous. I was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, which involves the bone marrow. I’ve completed 6-cycles of chemotherapy and getting radiation for my left scapula, along with some low-dose chemo every couple of weeks. I underwent an autologus stem cell transplant on Friday, January 27!

Cancer Symptoms

Lump on my shoulder and lower back pain.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Picc line placement (arm), hickman placement (chest), G-tube, four bone marrow biopsies, and a liver biopsy.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

August-January 2012.

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

I’m not sure if this really counts as Hormone Therapy, but I’m getting Lupron shots to help prevent my ovaries from going into pre-menopause.

Bone Marrow Transplant Description, Dates & Side Effects

Stem cell transplant was done on January 27, 2012 using my own cells. Apparently the stem cell preservative smelled like creamed corn, although I couldn’t smell it.

Comments:

Thanks for sharing your story Sarah. I feel your pain when it comes to “What I Hate Most About Cancer”... I really do feel like this is the time when me and you both should be building out lives but I guess we are the exception to the rule and should instead try to find a path that suits our bodies and our health. I sometimes get very sad when I think of my best friends that I went to high school and college with are living their dreams, but I’m frozen in time, waiting for a green light or some kind of miracle. Lets live today and let the rest handle itself. :) Somehow it eases the worry.
=)
Swiny

Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:24:37 AM by Swiny A.

Sarah, thank you for sharing your story. I will keep you in my prayers.
Karen

Posted on March 26, 2012 at 4:53:52 PM by Kcingalls

Hi Sarah! You have been quiet lately. Hope you are feeling well and know I am praying for you!

Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:18:45 PM by Private User

Sarah: thanks for the info. I am sorry about your cancer, too many young people are being affected by this aweful disease. I also lost my son 11 years ago to Non Hodgens Lympoma. He was only 28. I thought our family would not be touched by this ugly disease twice, you just never know. Hang in there, my prayers are with you for a full recovery.

Posted on January 13, 2012 at 6:16:15 PM by Tucker99

HI Sarah! Thanks for visiting Jocelyn’s site! I’m glad too that I finally got to talk to you instead of just passing by in radiation! Jocy sure isn’t shy! :) She brings me out of my shell I think! ;)
I’ll see ya Friday! Jocy goes in at 12:15.

Posted on November 30, 2011 at 8:12:12 PM by Kdickhoff