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| Date Entered at Shared Experience: 09/01/2003 |
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SARCOMA SKELETAL |
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My name is Lori.In 1966 I developed unrelenting pain in my back at the T5 level of my spine.The pain and numbness extended to my shoulder and arm. My mother took me to the Dr. Upon getting a chest xray, it was discovered that I had a baseball sized tumor on my spine located under my rib cage.Immediately I was refered to a thoracic surgeon. I underwent a major thoracic surgery. The pathology report was grim, as the surgeon told my parents that the tumor was malignant and that I only had probably 6 months to live. He told them that he could not get all of the tumor and had to leave a small piece on my spine. If he had tried to remove it, I might have become parilyzed. Several weeks later I endured 6 weeks of radiation treatments to my chest and back. I think about why I survived every day of my life and try to make the most of it. Today I am 52 yrs old . I went to college and became a registered nurse. I work in a recovery room. Each day I try to give something back to those whom I care for in the way of comfort and compassion. Though I have suffered from depression and other issues related to my cancer, I truly appreciate that I am alive and able to share something of myself with others. Thankyou for allowing me to share my experience with this devestating disease. Lori |
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I recived at the time 6 weeks of radiatio therapy to my back and chest.I was not treated with any chemo drugs as they were not used for this type of cancer at that time as far asI am aware. |
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Basically, my quality of life has been pretty good after dealing with depression,problems with body image,the life long fear of the cancer returning,etc.I was able to go to college, then nursing school and have enjoyed a 27 yr career in nursing. today I am fairly happy, but now I am starting to have to deal with the long term effects of my radiation therapy. |
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I would like to find out, if I could, if there are any clinics in my area that deal with the issues of long term cancer survivors. |
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