David Cogburn Escape from Tumorville

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.