Survivors of Knee Cancer

jayla

Hi I am currently 31 years old and I have been cancer free for over 15 years. I wanted to know are there any other people out there that are survivors of knee cancer and how they are doing emotionally, and physically. Just wanted to compare notes because some days (even after all this time) are harder then others. If you want to share your comments please feel free to post a message.

brgndygrl

I had Ewing's Sarcoma in my right knee when I was 15. I had a limp salvage procedure, and was actually the first person to have this. They initially told me they would amputate, but luckily they found a doc who removed my entire knee and tibia and replaced it with a titanium prosthesis and then re-attached al my nerves, muscles and tendons, then closing me back up. So technically, it is a prosthesis, but I got to keep my leg. The Ewing's metastasized 4 years later during my sophomore year at college. This time it went to my lung. Yipee, I was bald again. Blah blah blah more chemo, more surgery, and some radiation. Now I'm perfectly fine- just rather stressed out from work and school. I'm persuing a career in pediatric oncology.

Marshkl

When i was 14 I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my lower femur. After 10 weeks of chemo I had surgery to remove the tumor. They did a allograft where they put in a cadaevar (sp) and a plate with 9 pins. I then continued chemo for 7 months. A year later the plate broke in half and I had another surgery to repair the plate and they did a bone graft from my hip in hopes it would heal this time. Another year later it had not healed adn they did yet another bone graft. After 6 months it had not healed so I had a total knee replacement. After being on crutches for 2 1/2 years I was able to walk after 6 weeks! It is hard sometimes in the cold weather and I can not run. Emotionally I handle it pretty well in front of others but when I am at the gym or see people running I have a hard time dealing with the fact that I can't do the things i use to like run, dance, play sports. I am so glad I have found this website because no one really understands what it is like.

neagin

Marshkl said:

When i was 14 I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my lower femur. After 10 weeks of chemo I had surgery to remove the tumor. They did a allograft where they put in a cadaevar (sp) and a plate with 9 pins. I then continued chemo for 7 months. A year later the plate broke in half and I had another surgery to repair the plate and they did a bone graft from my hip in hopes it would heal this time. Another year later it had not healed adn they did yet another bone graft. After 6 months it had not healed so I had a total knee replacement. After being on crutches for 2 1/2 years I was able to walk after 6 weeks! It is hard sometimes in the cold weather and I can not run. Emotionally I handle it pretty well in front of others but when I am at the gym or see people running I have a hard time dealing with the fact that I can't do the things i use to like run, dance, play sports. I am so glad I have found this website because no one really understands what it is like.

I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my right femur next to my knee. I was 17 years old then and 19 now. It's been almost a year since I've been in remission. I had a limb salvage surgery and I also get frustrate sometimes when I see people run and jump and play sports. I used to be a gymnast and now I can't do any of it except back bends. Even though I can't do a lot of stuff physically that others can do, I have found sports that I can do like biking and rock climbing in a gym. I just have to be more careful than others. I have always loved playing with kids and I was sad when I had the surgery because I thought I wouldn't be able to play with them anymore beacuse I couldn't run or jump. I have learned though, that kids understand if you say you can't run or if you tell them that you have a bad knee. Most kids either come up with a different game or give you a head start if it's a race. I know it can be discouraging at times but the way I keep myself encouraged is by being thankful of all the things I can do. I hope this helps a little.

SmilingRachie

Marshkl said:

When i was 14 I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my lower femur. After 10 weeks of chemo I had surgery to remove the tumor. They did a allograft where they put in a cadaevar (sp) and a plate with 9 pins. I then continued chemo for 7 months. A year later the plate broke in half and I had another surgery to repair the plate and they did a bone graft from my hip in hopes it would heal this time. Another year later it had not healed adn they did yet another bone graft. After 6 months it had not healed so I had a total knee replacement. After being on crutches for 2 1/2 years I was able to walk after 6 weeks! It is hard sometimes in the cold weather and I can not run. Emotionally I handle it pretty well in front of others but when I am at the gym or see people running I have a hard time dealing with the fact that I can't do the things i use to like run, dance, play sports. I am so glad I have found this website because no one really understands what it is like.

i know exactly how you
i know exactly how you feel!! I was 16 when I was diagnosed with malignant fibrous histyocytoma, a rare lung cancer that surfaced in my femur bone, just like an osteosarcoma. I was treated like I would if I had osteo, then had an alagraft put in as my femur bone, which failed as well. I then had my knee totally replaced and the metal implant put into my leg as my femur. This has failed multiple times, due to a rare infection that is caused by having metal in the body. The implant would come loose and has attempted to set me back in college, but I won't let it. Last week I finally had a total femur replacement, and am still waiting to see what I can expect from it. Anyone email me if you want to chat!