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Filbeck626 started following
User: GregP_WN
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Filbeck626 posted an update
I am so glad there is a place like this to let others know what a cancer patient is going through and have gone through. I wish there was something like this when I was under treatment (30 years ago). Cancer is a terrible thing and especially for a child to go through, kids don't understand.
Thank GOD for everyone that is a survivor and GOD bless all those that are still in the fight. Keep with it, even when you think it isn't worth it. -
Filbeck626 shared an experience
Celebration (Finished treatment): I am 28 years completely cancer free. I was much more fortunate that some of the others that were experiencing Ewings Sarcoma at the same time I was undergoing treatment. Some of the friends that I made during diagnosis and treatment did not survive the fight. I was so fortunate and I give thanks to St. Jude's for developing the treatment and Shands Teaching Hospital for administering the treatment. I give thanks to my family that was with me during that horrific time. Above all I give thanks to GOD who brought me through this. He enabled me to live, when my new friends did not.
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Filbeck626 shared an experience
Radiation (External radiation ): My Ewings Sarcoma tumor was just above my right elbow. I had radiation treatments to the tumor. There was no side affect. I did get a cool tan from it. The side affect with radiation is that there was damage done to the surrounding muscle tissue. I am really glad i was 15 when I received the radiation treatment (I was almost done growing). There is a noticeable difference in the side of right arm from the left one. Over the years I have learned to compensate and it does not affect me on a daily basis, expect for the size difference. Again a minor side affect in exchange for my life.
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Filbeck626 shared an experience
Side Effects (Hair loss (alopecia)): I had several side affects with chemo. I had great weight loss, I think mostly due to my inability to eat because of being sick from the medication. I also developed hepatitis because of a low white blood cell count.
The most dramatic thing for me was of course the hair loss. I remember waking up during the night with a pillow covered in hair. I could grab a large clump of hair out at one time. I would try to be funny and pull some hair out and drape it over my upper lip and say that it was a fu manchu mustache. My parents hated when I would do that, had to get some humor some how -
Filbeck626 shared an experience
Drug or Chemo Therapy (Chemotherapy): During my treatment with chemotherapy I received 6 different types of medication. The worst was Cytoxan. I took oral, IV push and IV drip medications.
Of course I lost all my hair (many times). In the 1980's and being 15 years old, being bald wasn't so cool. A minor price to pay for saving my life.