Surgery brought forward

Apparently it's 18cm long, 5.5cm wide and 4cm deep and in my lower leg mostly from scans it's in the soft muscle tissue but very close to the bone

 

Good luck mate. They're doing what they believe will give you the best outcome under the circumstances. There are always 'circumstances' in everyone's life. At the moment it's Covid-19, but there is always something. They wouldn't waste any precious time on this if they didn't believe there would be a positive outcome. The fact that you are one of those they have chosen to operate on (many people will have their operation delayed until after this is over) means they have assessed your case and think you are in that group of people where early intervention will be very positive. Doesn't mean you won't be scared, but they've chosen you for a reason. They want to help the people they can.

 

Thanks jay, when you put it like it does sound very positive, so yes here's hoping

 

Good luck, hope all goes well for you SR

 

All the best mate. With any luck you'll be kicking a ball before the team does.

 

Good luck, mate.

 

Good luck, you'll beat it mate.

 

Good luck Sprotbrough Red, I have heard nothing but praise from people I've met who have had treatment at Weston Park.

 

a wish you all the best SR and a speedy recovery mate!!

 

Fingers crossed for you mate. Like others have said, you're going to be in good hands there.

 

All the best with it

 

Thanks for all the kind words and well wishes.

I've spoke to the surgeon this morning and put my mind at ease a little, all the radiotherapy has now been cancelled and they are going straight to surgery on the 29th April now, after that I may need radiotherapy but they'll access that after the operation

 

Radiotherapy can have a similar effect on the immune system to chemotherapy - it suppresses it - which in the middle of a pandemic might not be the best course of action unless you are able to completely self-isolate for a long time afterwards (and be certain to not pick up an infection on the way to, in or back home from hospital). So it will be a balancing act for many patients in this situation. The overall odds might be lower than a combined course of treatment, but will be a lot higher than the combined course with a very dangerous and infectious virus running rampant around the community.

 

If this worried you OP, that isn't my intention, just trying to explain the reasoning. Speak to your doctors and MacMillan for any advice - they are the experts and will be doing everything they can to make sure you are back at Oakwell if/when the next season starts...

 

Sure you've already seen this, but Cancer Research UK have a dedicated place with information for those with cancer or are supporting people with cancer.

https://about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer

 

As Scoff has mentioned, radiotherapy can effect your immune system, though more likely if blasting stronger and longer at bones rather than soft tissue.

On the balance of things, removing it now rather than trying to shrink it first probably gives the better outcome.

You’ll lose some healthy calf muscle.

It wasn’t for a sarcoma but I had a massive slice taken out of my right calf to graft into my knee. It looks ugly, the lower leg is smaller on the right than the left (though not as noticeable as the knee - and then only noticeable if I’m in shorts).

I do have restricted mobility though I’m fully ambulant.

Cancer is a scary word but it sounds like you’ve got one of the more treatable ones, and having experienced Weston Park for several family members I have 100% faith in their skill and decision making.

I also have 100% confidence in that you’ll recover. Maybe with a slightly smaller leg, but you’ll be healthy into old age.

Good luck to you, and let us know how you’re getting on when you get chance.

 

Thanks troff

One of the main things they have been consistent with is that I'll be left with a dropped foot after the surgery, which though not ideal if that's the price I have to pay I'll take it.

Luckily, if you can call any cancers lucky sarcoma cancers do appear to be the most responsive to treatments, the initial worry was that one thing sarcomas do is spread to other areas of the body, namely bones and most worryingly the lungs which has a far bigger mortality rate, luckily all scans have come back clear.

So it's just fingers crossed now that the operation goes to plan on the 29th

 

Will be thinking of you.

 

weston park is bad enough when things are normal , so to have to put up with delays??? i know what you are going through pal, i've been there,got the t shirt (and the scars),so ,keep thi pecker up ,try to think positive and best wishes from me

 

Just a quick update, got a cancellation slot and I'm now in for surgery to remove the tumour tomorrow, gives me less time to worry now, which isn't a bad thing a minute, if all goes well they are forecasting I'll be out by Monday, fingers crossed