Karolyn Carver

Many have asked about how this gruesome cancer was found--what was my first indication.  Approximately two months ago, I felt a lump in the back of my left thigh.  At the time I was in physical therapy for an issue with my neck and head.  I asked my therapist, Debra Barr, to feel it and get her opinion.  She did, then called a colleague over to also feel it. They conferred and thought it was one of two things--a partially torn hamstring with scar tissue or a mass.  They suggested that I call Dr. Clayton Nuelley, an orthopedic doc.  I did and was able to get in the next day.  He x-rayed it and sent me back to physical therapy for the leg.  Debra worked on it for 2-3 weeks and stated it was not getting better and it needed to be reassessed by the doctor.  I made the appointment and he prescribed an MRI. About a week later we got the results--it definitely was a mass.  He referred me to Dr. Andrea Evenski an Orthopedic  Oncologist.  At the first appointment, she took biopsies to get some core samples.  Another week to get the results--Hi Grade Pleomorphic Sarcoma.  The same day we had appointments to get blood drawn, medical oncology and radiation oncology docs.  A PET scan has been set up for Friday, June 9th in Columbia. This is to determine whether the cancer has spread.  Hopefully it won't light up too much!  My port is to be implanted later today (June 6th).  That will make it much easier for me and the medical staff to infuse the chemo and to draw blood without a bunch on needle sticks.

The tumor is located on the back of my left thigh and is quite large--13 cm long and 7 cm deep.  The plan is to have chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery--in that order.  The chemo will require a 5 day stay in the hospital followed by 3 weeks at home.  This regimen will go on for 3 times or maybe longer.  The radiation will be 5 days a week for 5 weeks.  We are going to be doing the treatments in Jefferson City through Capital Region Hospital and the Goldschmidt cancer center also here in Jeff City. 

We covet your prayers and we feel your love.  It is all so humbling.  Even though we are dealing with appointments, procedures, etc., it still doesn't seem real.  My brain says I have cancer, but my heart hasn't caught up to that reality.