Biography

Approximately two years ago I was making my bed and felt a snap in my hand. I looked down and discovered a small lump on the palm of my right hand. Being that I am a respiratory therapist and am in the medical field I thought to myself “Crap, I ruptured a tendon.” However, I had no pain so went about my day. I never thought anything of it, and I never really had any pain with it. About a year later it started to get a little bigger and there was mild pain, so I finally decided to go see my general physician about it. He looked at it and said, “Yea, it sure looks like a ruptured tendon,” (false diagnosis number 1). He sent me to a hand specialist and when I met with him he said, “It looks like a partially ruptured tendon because you still have good function of your finger. You are going to need surgery to correct it but first you need to have an MRI done,”. Again, being that I am in the medical field, I said, “There is no way I am going to have surgery if this is no big deal and really isn’t causing me that much pain.” With that I never even had the MRI done. About another year after that the lump was becoming increasingly larger in size and began to cause a lot more pain then it had in the past. Not to mention every one of my friends and family were hounding me to get it fixed. Finally I decided to go see the hand specialist again, and this time when I saw him he told me that it no longer looked like a ruptured tendon but more like tumor growth. He ordered another MRI, but this time I actually got it done. Whenever you have a scan like that done there is a doctor that is specialized in reading radiographic images that interprets them. The radiology doctor read it as a grand cell tumor of the tendon sheath (false diagnosis number 2). Again, the hand specialist said that it definitely needed to come out and that would require surgery.On October 3, 2008, I had my first surgery of the tumor removal. The tumor was sent to pathology to be read by a doctor to figure out exactly what the origin of the tumor was. This was a Friday and the doctor asked to see me on Monday, October 6, 2008. I made my appointment for that Monday and when I went into the doctor office he removed my bandage put a new one on. The doctor was very impressed with the way I was healing but seemed to be very upset with the fact that my pathology results were not back yet. He said he didn’t want to keep me waiting and asked me to call later if I didn’t hear from him to find out what the results were. At the time I really didn’t think anything of it and I left the office. My grandmother was with me and we went out to lunch after the appointment. We were in the car on our back to my house when my phone rang. It was my surgeon and he said, “Your pathology results came back with a malignancy.” I really don’t remember much of the conversation after that because I stopped listening. News like that turns your whole world upside down. I do remember him saying that it was something called sarcoma and it was very rare and usually extremely aggressive. The doctor also referred me to another physician at the University of Chicago. The reason I had to go there is because the cancer that I have is less than 1% of all adult cancer cases, and it is not treated at the hospital where I had my first surgery.The Monday that I found out could officially go down in history as the worst day of my life. Tuesday and Wednesday weren’t that great either. My sister who lives in Terra Haute, Indiana came home as soon as she heard the news. Her and my best friend Natasha actually took me shopping for my bridesmaid dresses the day after I found out to get my mind off of things. Wednesday was my first appointment with the doctor from the University of Chicago. My mom, my dad, and my sister went with me to that appointment. We woke up early to go to breakfast and it takes about an hour to get the university from my house. I was so sick that morning that I was unable to eat. My nerves were shot and the thought of food made me nausiated. When we arrived I went to the desk to check in and unfortunately found out that the receptionist was extremely rude. I didn’t let if phase me. After we got into the room I was so nervous I went to the bathroom four times waiting for the doctor. Finally, after what seemed to be the longest 15 minutes of my life, a resident came in. I have never had to deal with residents; and I’m sorry to say I was not impressed. The resident I met with didn’t seem to have had his class on bedside manner. He sat down and asked me some questions about when I discovered the tumor, and he gathered a basic history. By the time he left the room I thought I was going to die. My family and I sat there for another few minutes until the doctor that I came to see came in. He introduced himself shook everyones hand and sat down right next to me. He started explaining my disease known as epithelial sarcoma. My family and I instantly fell in love with this doctor as he put us at ease. The best advice I could have ever received up to this point is, “Don’t worry until you have to.”

Cancer Symptoms

Mass on the palm of my right hand with slight pain. It is actually a tumor of the soft tissue.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

Tumor removal-October 3, 2008-No side effects
Finger amputation and sentinal node biopsy-Nov. 12, 2007-No side effects
Lymph node dissection-Dec 9, 2008-No side effects except for coming home with a drain for 2 weeks

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

Chemo to start Dec. 29, 2008
Radiation begins at week 4

Comments:

Hi Stacy….Don’t give up… You are stronger than cancer. Godspeed :)

Posted on July 18, 2010 at 6:18:49 AM PDT by cpzminion

Hey Stacy,
Wow, what a journey. Words of advice from someone who had a stage 3 rare Leiomysarcoma at the age of 28, never call it “my cancer” because it doesn’t belong in your body and have faith. As long as there is hope, anything is possible. How are you doing now? What is the protocol regarding follow-up?
You are in my thoughts and prayers Stacy!
Sue

Posted on October 3, 2009 at 9:34:22 AM PDT by hope

thanks for answering me Stacy,
At 1st I jst wanted to pretend none of this was happening- perfect reason to run away from life.
My inital reaction was ok so i will sell everything and just go and see the world,work with poor people in africa..etc..
But after coming to this site, i realize that this is all bigger than me.I have to stand and fight,not just for me for those with the courage to do just that -that came before me,and for those who will follow..Im the newest hamster so it seems..4 out of a million???i keep asking myself why didnt i buy a lotto ticket
please keep posting dont forget about those who follow you..you give me hope to keep fighting,and its about all the hope i have now..
So i will keep praying for you,
and i will keep hoping..
xxoohugs and lovexxoo Melody

Posted on May 29, 2009 at 5:40:56 AM PDT by melody

Hi Stacy,
Im so glad to here the chemo is over and you got through it.I have pretty much the same diagnonis as you ..less than 1 % very agressive,please keep me posted…please come back and let me know that your still ok..you give me hope!
xxoo hugs xxoo
melody

Posted on May 28, 2009 at 1:04:33 AM PDT by melody