••• Update April, 2019 •••
So the chemo that was recommended back in Feb just didn't work. I was quickly switched to this new treatment - a dual chemo therapy after it was discovered that, after 5 months of stasis, the tumor had outsmarted the current therapy and began to grow. This new dual therapy was very rough - so rough that I developed pretty much EVERY side effect possible and felt amazingly terrible - like I have never felt this bad in my life. I was told to do 2 full cycles and then we would see how well it was working. I knew immediately that it wasn't working as I could both physically see and feel the tumor growing. In a matter of 6 weeks, I went from looking quite underweight to looking like I was 10 months pregnant with twins. I felt terrible and everyone finally agreed that the only way to beat this thing was to surgically remove it. Drs would not touch my other inoperable tumors - just focus on this aggressive crazy singular tumor.
I had surgery on April 2 and had several portions of many organs removed. Despite the length and invasiveness of the procedure, I woke up and felt great and have never looked back. I have recovered quicker than expected and really feel better than I have in years. Now the psychological torture begins. When will this thing reappear? It’s now a waiting game to determine if and when it will come back and if treatment can outpace any new growth. For now, I am enjoying feeling great and focusing on the present. The other tumors are stable for now and everything is up for review by CT soon.
•••• Birthday Wish ••••
As I nearly complete my 45th trip around the sun this week, my birthday wish is that you to donate to Sarcoma Research!
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
••• Update Feb 2019 •••
Those of you who have visited and donated to my page, know I started my initial treat with immunotherapy, which had decent efficacy rates in fighting this cancer. It didn’t work for me, and after just a month on that drug I was switched to a hard core traditional chemotherapy paired with another immunotherapy. This drug combination worked wonders and my Drs were very pleased, actually shocked at how well the drug combo worked for me. I had significant shrinkage of the tumor and remained modestly side effect free for several months. The last 5 months were great but as with everything, all good things must come to an end....
My Drs discovered that this treatment was no longer working for me - there was progression/growth of the tumor so I was immediately switched to another chemotherapy. This new one is a dual chemo drug cocktail without any immunotherapy as I have exhausted that avenue of treatment. I have started this new treatment regimen and hope for more positive results, slowed progression and a similar quality of life that I had with the previous drug cocktail. I will know more soon and keep everyone posted.
Thanks to all the well wishes and positive thoughts as I continue this fight!
--------------------------
••• August, 2018 •••
I was diagnosed with Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma in 2013 just as the boys started Kindergarten. I was determined at that point to see them to their 18th birthday - at least, and see them off into the world. I was told at diagnosis, that I was inoperable in terms of resecting all of the cancer and intermittent surgical de-bulking was my only hope moving forward. In other words, I would never be cancer free...
Since this is a rare cancer, there are few known effective chemo treatments as research is very limited because of funding. I was advised to stay healthy and active and avoid as much intervention for as long as I could.
In August, my Drs found another tumor, this new one a very high grade variant of my cancer type and it has progressed very, very quickly. I tried a targeted immunotherapy treatment with no results and am now undergoing traditional chemotherapy and another immunotherapy in an effort to slow down the growth and buy myself a little more time.
I am asking you to donate here to provide more research money in an effort to find a cure/more treatment options for this ruthless cancer that takes the lives of so many innocent people so quickly. Saroma affects children and adults alike - its aggressive and often returns after treatment. All cancer isn't pink as all types of cancer need your funding - especially rare types!
Please be kind to everyone and cherish the small things. Be grateful for what's in front of you and don't take even the smallest things for granted. You never know what is around the corner - live life to its fullest!!
Thanks for reading -
Kade
