First post:
Mar 22, 2017 Latest post:
Mar 28, 2019
In a nutshell, I have a rare chondrosarcoma. In late November/early December of 2016 my left quad was feeling tighter than usual. Stretching wasn't helping. Got an X-ray and an MRI in January. MRI revealed a fist-sized tumor. Went to Mayo Clinic for a consult. They recommended a full hip and leg amputation. I essentially said, "Thanks, but no thanks". I had the most awful week thinking about having my leg removed within a 6-8 weeks, but eventually I got eight additional consults from the top cancer institutes. Six thought amputation was too extreme as a first course of action (meaning two agreed with Mayo), including the surgeon that will be extracting this tumor. So as far as I know I am going into surgery with the idea that I'll wake up with both legs still attached. But there's a chance that I may wake up with one leg. Or, most likely, a left leg that has decreased mobility due to nerve damage or nerve resection. The surgical team won't know with certainty until they are elbow deep in me.
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