I had noticed a lump on my right shoulder that kept getting bigger but would then get smaller. In the summer of 2017 the lump started to bother me. My bra strap on my right shoulder started to rub on the lump and my arm and had started to swell and feel numb. My sister noticed it on our vacation in Arizona. After that I decided to make an appointment with my primary physician. He examined me and suggested that it could be a lipoma or something else, but for me not to panic. He wrote orders for me to have an X-ray and to see an orthopedic doctor. I did the X-ray right after my appointment. When I went to see the orthopedic doctor he looked at my X-ray and examined me and shared with me that this was not just an orthopedic issue that he was sending me to an orthopedic oncologist. He still told me not to panic but this was the next step to see what the lump was in my shoulder. Went to see the oncologist and she scheduled a biopsy. I had a biopsy in March 2018 and was diagnosed with Soft tissue sarcoma cancer in April 2018. I don’t remember the exact type of soft tissue sarcoma I was diagnosed with, all I know was that the doctor said I had cancer. I did not see the cancer diagnosis coming; it was like I was in someone else’s dream. My family and friends were very supportive when I was diagnosed.
Words of Wisdom:
Another suggestion I would give to someone who is newly diagnosed is find a therapist. I did not do this until later and wished it was suggested to me during my journey. Just because you have a good support system doesn’t mean you don’t need someone else to talk with or share how you are feeling. Also write questions down before your appointments so you don’t forget. This was very helpful for me. I would ask my family what questions I should ask before going to the doctor and they helped me come up with questions.
Role of the Sarcoma Foundation of America:
I didn’t find out about this foundation until later. Knowing that there was a foundation that supported my type of cancer and was in my area gave me so much hope and courage. This year I purchased signs to put up in my yard this month. Thank you for everything you do.
