1. < Sarcoma
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Diagnosed with sarcoma? Let's share

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Jun 21, 2017

Because sarcomas are rare, I would like to start a conversation to help connect people living with sarcoma or caring for someone with sarcoma.

As you know, sarcoma is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the connective or soft tissues (soft tissue sarcoma). There are many different types and sub-types of sarcomas, for example: angiosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), Kaposi's sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, osteosarcoma, pleomorphic sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma and more.

Let's get to know one another. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of sarcoma have you been diagnosed with?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sarcoma Support Group.

erikahamilton | @erikahamilton | Mar 1, 2019
In reply to @kristennursepatient "I made it through and am now getting back to work. Last week was my first..." + (show)
@kristennursepatient

I made it through and am now getting back to work. Last week was my first full week of work, it was exhausting but good to be back.

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It's really encouraging to hear about others out there struggling with the same things. Having a rare cancer is tough, but one of the things that bothered me is that you never get to talk to someone experiencing the same thing exact. I'm glad fo hear you guys are moving forward.

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saemlerpe | @saemlerpe | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @me67 @udderplace @brinys @deborahe @jeffk @Laydeewinx @sheila2005 @funkynotes @zshivaughn @jacobito @swstar, I'd like to invite..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @me67 @udderplace @brinys @deborahe @jeffk @Laydeewinx @sheila2005 @funkynotes @zshivaughn @jacobito @swstar,
I'd like to invite you to the new discussion group for people living with sarcoma. What type of sarcoma have you been diagnosed with? Are you currently in treatment or finished with treatment?

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My sarcomas were soft tissue. Dr. Attia is my treating Dr. Dr Sherman was the surgeon who removed the sarcoma. The cancer is in remission,yea. Currently I'm on a chemo maintenance program every six (6)

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @saemlerpe "My sarcomas were soft tissue. Dr. Attia is my treating Dr. Dr Sherman was the surgeon..." + (show)
@saemlerpe

My sarcomas were soft tissue. Dr. Attia is my treating Dr. Dr Sherman was the surgeon who removed the sarcoma. The cancer is in remission,yea. Currently I'm on a chemo maintenance program every six (6)

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Welcome to Connect, @saemlerpe. I'd like to introduce you to @ventibug and @me67, who also have soft tissue sarcoma.

Saemierpe, what type of soft tissue sarcoma do (did) you have? What chemo maintenance are you on and how are the side effects?

@kristennursepatient, how are you doing back at work? Are you able to pace yourself and manage fatigue?

@viviand have you started radiation yet?
@erikahamilton did you already finish radiation?

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1 reply
kristennursepatient | @kristennursepatient | Mar 14, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome to Connect, @saemlerpe. I'd like to introduce you to @ventibug and @me67, who also have..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @saemlerpe. I'd like to introduce you to @ventibug and @me67, who also have soft tissue sarcoma.

Saemierpe, what type of soft tissue sarcoma do (did) you have? What chemo maintenance are you on and how are the side effects?

@kristennursepatient, how are you doing back at work? Are you able to pace yourself and manage fatigue?

@viviand have you started radiation yet?
@erikahamilton did you already finish radiation?

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I'm doing good. Recovery takes more time than I was okay with. My blood counts are back to normal so I am pushing myself on a daily basis to get back to normal. It seems to be paying off as my stamina seems to be returning.

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fasthealer | @fasthealer | Mar 17, 2019
In reply to @saemlerpe "My sarcomas were soft tissue. Dr. Attia is my treating Dr. Dr Sherman was the surgeon..." + (show)
@saemlerpe

My sarcomas were soft tissue. Dr. Attia is my treating Dr. Dr Sherman was the surgeon who removed the sarcoma. The cancer is in remission,yea. Currently I'm on a chemo maintenance program every six (6)

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I am also being treated by Dr Attia at Jacksonville for UPS (undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma). I was diagnosed 2 years ago and have been through radiation and surgery (at another hospital) and now on my second type of chemo with Mayo. UPS first appeared in my left calf and I had to have the soleus muscle removed. It has since metastasized in the lungs, but the treatment I am receiving now seems to be keeping it small, and not spreading. I choose to remain hopeful and busy. 😁

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @viviand "I discovered a small lump on my back around my shoulder blade last spring. I was..." + (show)
@viviand

I discovered a small lump on my back around my shoulder blade last spring. I was diagnosed with small cell sarcoma and had surgeries to get clean margins and reconstruction from April-July 2018. I also had chemotherapy from Aug-Dec 2018, because scans revealed nodules in my lungs. Chemo reduced most of them, but one has enlarged since my last infusion. I am scheduled for radiation in a few weeks. My sarcoma is very rare, although may be similar to Ewing’s. Love to hear if anyone wants to share.

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Vivian, @suzanneb's husband also had a Ewing's-like sarcoma.

Vivian, Suzanne, @kristennursepatient @suzanneb @zaruhi and @erikahamilton, I'd like to suggest that one of you start a new discussion specifically about Ewing's sarcoma. What do you think?
Here's how:
1. Go to the Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer/
2. Click START A DISCUSSION
3. Enter a title and message.
4. Click CREATE DISCUSSION.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18, 2019
In reply to @fasthealer "I am also being treated by Dr Attia at Jacksonville for UPS (undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma). I..." + (show)
@fasthealer

I am also being treated by Dr Attia at Jacksonville for UPS (undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma). I was diagnosed 2 years ago and have been through radiation and surgery (at another hospital) and now on my second type of chemo with Mayo. UPS first appeared in my left calf and I had to have the soleus muscle removed. It has since metastasized in the lungs, but the treatment I am receiving now seems to be keeping it small, and not spreading. I choose to remain hopeful and busy. 😁

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Welcome, @fasthealer. There are a few members talking about UPS here:
- Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sarcoma-256d3d/

What type of chemo are you now on and how frequently? Do you have to travel far to get chemo treatments?

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saemlerpe | @saemlerpe | Mar 18, 2019

I'm on cycle 41, Every six week I have a blood draw, meet with Dr. Attia review my results and have my chemo. Since the start of treatment,I have been on Doxial. The first 5 treatments were difficult. After that I had little or no side affects. I'm lucky I live about 20 minutes from Mayo Jacksonville Campus.

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Heartbroken | @amd123 | May 19, 2019

Hello. My son was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2017 just two weeks before his 21st birthday. He had proton therapy and major thoracic surgery 6 weeks later. Surgeons removed two ribs, part of his lower lobe, and the mass that was growing near near it all. He had to take a sabbatical for a semester from college, but he returned to school and graduated on schedule. He had just started working two weeks before at a job in his field, when we received the news that his cancer had metastasized. He is only 23. Mayo immediately began the process of getting his chemo started. We have now completed two cycles. He has no appetite and is very nauseous. We are devastated by this all. He is trying so hard to be strong. 5 days after his first cycle, he went back to work. I know he is hoping he will be able to do the same this time, but I’m not sure.

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2 replies
christine19 | @christine19 | May 19, 2019
In reply to @amd123 "Hello. My son was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2017 just two weeks before his 21st..." + (show)
@amd123

Hello. My son was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2017 just two weeks before his 21st birthday. He had proton therapy and major thoracic surgery 6 weeks later. Surgeons removed two ribs, part of his lower lobe, and the mass that was growing near near it all. He had to take a sabbatical for a semester from college, but he returned to school and graduated on schedule. He had just started working two weeks before at a job in his field, when we received the news that his cancer had metastasized. He is only 23. Mayo immediately began the process of getting his chemo started. We have now completed two cycles. He has no appetite and is very nauseous. We are devastated by this all. He is trying so hard to be strong. 5 days after his first cycle, he went back to work. I know he is hoping he will be able to do the same this time, but I’m not sure.

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So, so sorry for your son. I will keep him & your family in my prayers. Hopefully, the chemo & treatments will be successful & he’ll be able to resume a more ‘normal’ life (...although, life with/after cancer is not normal—I guess it’s the ‘new normal’). Try to focus on positive thoughts.

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