Diagnosis: I innocently went to wipe something off my shirt one day when I felt a large lump on my chest. The doctors first suspected it to be in my breast. I went through a battery of imaging tests for about 10 months. My attempted lumpectomy turned exploratory and the tumor was found to be in between the 2nd and 3rd rib behind my right breast. It was diagnosed as a grade 2 chondrosarcoma of the chest wall.

Treatment: In August of 2007 I recieved treatment at the University of California Irvine. I had a wide en-bloc resection of the anterior chest wall with a partial mastectomy. The 2nd, 3rd, and part of the 4th rib were removed along with part of my sternum. Mesh, mortor, muscle flap and skin graft were used to correct the defect. I spent 3 days in ICU and 6 days total hospitalization. The doctors at this hospital were really great and did their very best to minimize the trauma.

Recovery: I have lost some strength on the right side, my balance is off, and I tend to lose grip of things occasionally that I grasp with my right hand. I have a-lot of back pain and find myself short of breath but i am alive, that is what matters. I will soon have the rest of the reconstruction done for my breast and that I think will help.

Life now: Life does not stand still. I have four beautiful children that I am able to share my life with. I can remember the fear of not being able to be here for them and I thank God everyday that I am still able to be their mommy.

Thoughts and Hints for Patients: Do your own research and keep track of all your records and films. Do not depend on the medical staff or your physician to do this because sometimes they don’t. Be of positive mind and spirit, this is not the worst thing that could happen or the end of the world.

Diagnosis: In January 2004, I always felt sick. I kept a temperature, it hurt to breath, and I didn’t eat much. My doctor kept me on antibiotics for months. He did chest x-rays looking for broken ribs or maybe pneumonia but always told me nothing was wrong. After awhile he started telling me it was all in my head. In March he did a thyroid test and it came back normal. Three weeks later when they repeated the test it was extremely off. So he put me on Synthroid. But nothing changed…then my right rib cage started swelling and was painful to the touch. There was a large mass. My doctor still said it was in my head. Up until August of 2004 I started to believe it. Then I went to see a surgeon I had seen in the past. From my signs, symptoms and history she told me that day she believed it was malignant. She sent me for blood work and scheduled my biopsy. Less than a week later my results were back and I was back in the hospital getting a central line placed.

To let you know a little bit about my history: when I was 10 1/2 months old, I was just beginning to walk. All of a sudden I just quit and was bruising extremely bad around my legs for no known reason. My mom took me to the hospital and they admitted me with croup. After no improvement and crazy labs they discovered I had acute nonlymphocitic leukemia-also known as acute myeloid leukemia. After two years of chemo I was back to what I thought was normal. Then when I was 16 they accidentally found a benign tumor on my ovary. I was hospitalized with stomach pain, nausea and vomiting and after a abdomen/pelvis xray they discovered it. They removed it and my ovary.

Treatment: I took 12 months of chemotherapy for Ewing’s, around 42 rounds. They alternated two different sets which consisted of my 5 day chemo: ifosfamide and etoposide, and my 3 day: vincristine, adriamycin and cytoxan. I took 2 years of chemo with leukemia but I’m unsure right off about my exact medications. I had many port placements and removals, biopsies, bone marrows, one large surgery to remove the tumor after shrinking with chemo, blood transfusions, and I have my marrow banked in case I may ever need a bone marrow transplant.

Recovery: My last treatment was in August of 2005. After that I began doing scans (CT and PET) every 4 months, went to every 6 months a year later, and as of March of last year I moved on to every year. Since my scans are farther apart now I’m more of a worrier over “unexplained” pains but its getting better!

Life Now: I’m a Registered Nurse.

Thoughts and Hints for New Patients: Regardless of how strong you are, things will get you down and you won’t want to go on, but you have to. Just pick up and get over things that are thrown your way. You do need to talk about things, and rely on people even if you were self sufficient.

Editor’s Note: Kellie shares her life perspective in this story, and her journey from cancer patient to support group leader in this story.

I was hospitalized September 13, 2003. I knew something was growing on my chest, but for whatever, reason, I ignored it. Then, God decided to do something about it for me. A huge blood like blistered formed on my chest and burst through the chest wall. This was the tumor that had become infected. I had numerous cat scans and bone scans, and x-rays. During this time I developed pneumonia and dehydration. I had no treatment until January 27, 2003.

Treatment: I went to several major medical center and university hospitals for opinions. I was sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. We remained there for 95 days while I underwent pre-op rehabilitation to make me stronger for the surgery. On January 27, 2004 I underwent surgery for the removal of a 17 pound tumor, four ribs were removed, and part of my sternum. They inserted a mesh and did a tissue graft from my back to close up the hole left by the diseased tissue after they took a muscle from my back to put over the mesh. I was on life support for five or six days. I am now cancer free, 15 months. I did not have to have any kind of chemo or radiation. My lungs are being monitored now by a sarcoma specialist. This will continue for a few years.

Recovery: I thank God everyday for blessing me with a miracle. Keep the Faith. The power of prayer is awesome. I know God performs miracles, I am One. I have had no cancer related problems since my surgery with the exception of they are watching a small spot on my lungs. However, they believe this is only scar tissue. I have made a full recovery and am better than I have been in years. I did just undergo two surgeries for kidney stones. I have been dealing with them for the past year.

Life Now: I am leading a normal life. I have to wear a medical alert bracelet because of my chest reconstruction. I have no bone in the upper part of my chest. You can see my heart beat. I have to be careful about falling. I do alot of exercises on my glider, walk, read, love computers, my church, my family. I do crocheting, and crafts. Actually, I am better now that ever before.

Thoughts and Hints for New Patients: Make sure you have someone with you when you see your doctors. Write everything down. Get copies of all your medical reports. Fight for yourself. Remember Cancer is not a death sentence. The word and disease are terrifying but research has come so far. Keep the faith. The power of prayer is awesome.