Last post Tue, Jul 15 2008 3:23 PM by swisswuff. 5 replies.
Hi Shelley, I am not quite whom your looking for. I did not have bone cancer, but I did have a soft tissue sarcoma of my lower leg. I know what you mean about telling people that you lost your leg because of cancer. When I tell people that, they seem disappointed. I think they are hoping to hear an exciting story, like I was in a motorcycle accident or stepped on a land mine or something. It's like they are disappointed that I just had cancer.
But, we know that we have not just survived an amputation, but cancer also. I do not consider my condition a disability, it is certainly not as convienent to get around as it used to be, but I still live my life very well. Maybe even better than before, I have learned to be a better person through all of the trials.
Well, better run, hope you find some of those bone cancer folks your lookin for.
I am new to Disaboom and I could not agree more! I was 17 when I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Amputation Left AKA then chemo. What fun being a senior in high school with no hair no leg and being sick as a dog. But 20 years later and I'm still kickin. I also did the camp thing but as a counselor not a camper.
Nice to meet you!
Hi Shelley. I had a right forequarter (arm & shoulder) amputation due to osteogenic sarcoma in January 1972. So, is "osteosarcoma" the current terminology? These days I only hear the older folks (like me) refer to it as osteogenic sarcoma. I was diagnosed just after they started recommending chemotherapy for this particular diagnosis. Of course it wasn't fun, but before chemo was added to the treatment regimen osteogenic sarcoma had a dismal survival rate. I also had lots of (cobalt) radiation therapy. There's a group on MySpace for bone cancer survivors, and most of their limbs were able to be "salvaged." I use quotation marks because apparently their limbs, though still there, are no where near as functioning as healthy limbs.
First of all, I would never approach a complete stranger and ask such a personal question as, "How did you lose your limb?" And yet, it still does happen to me from time to time. I usually just reply, "bone cancer," to which they ask the follow-up, even MORE personal question, "Did they get it all?" Of course, these folks have no idea that I'm a 35+ year survivor. Still... it's very rude.
I'm also puzzled by the way people say, "I'm sorry," to which I usually reply, "I forgive you."
Helen
Amen Sister! Why in the world do people seem to think it is appropriate to ask questions like that??! I always answer but think WOW who raised you to be so rude. I would never approach ANYONE and ask them about their disability. People have a more difficult time telling their friend that their outfit is hidious. Hey "What happened to your hair???!?!?!?!"
Sometimes if in the mood I invent the story of where my leg is. Ahh surfin dude in Hawaii. or You really shouldn't tease those gators. I then get the response of " NO WAY??!!! REALLY??? WOW!" I never get that when I say Cancer. they all look at me with pity and oh well I'm sorry. What Cancer isn't exciting enough? People - they make me laugh.
do you accept votes from someone with a soft tissue tumor. i specifically point out the FACIAL EXPRESSION they make after learning that it was a tumor. "A TUMOR!!!????" as if it was slimey, contagious and smelly to the nature that all i'd do was extend the stump and BUAHHHHH SPRTZZZZ have my putrid pus of eternal disease shower them in agony. as if my stump was the epiphany of "the cyst of death". other people and their misconceptions.... BRRRRRRR......- wolf (RBE)
