Diagnosis: I found a lump under my arm, and after about a month, I noticed that it had grown. In May 2004, I visited my general practitioner, who said it was fluid. He referred me to a another doctor who said he didn’t think it was fluid and he made appointments for more tests: a CT scan, MRI, and a biopsy. In July 2004 I was told it was Ewing’s Sarcoma and in August I started chemotherapy.

Treatment: I had 6 cycles of chemotherapy, which at first made me very ill. I had various infections, so they had to reduce the dose. Then in January 2005, I had surgery to remove the tumour, which was successful, with a good margin of healthy tissue taken from around the tumour. I then started 7 cycles of chemotherapy. I also had 6 weeks of radiotherapy.

Recovery: I finished all the treatment on the 23rd of June, 2005. At the moment I feel fine and am looking forward to going to work next week.

Life Now: I’m having a big party in a couple of weeks time to celebrate finishing my treatment and to say thanks to everybody. I am in the army, and have been back to work between treatments doing light duties, which has helped to keep me sane!!

Thoughts and Hints for New Patients: Keep positive; talk to somebody about the way you feel. Take all the support you can get and don’t feel that you are on your own.