I remember the night I walked into my parents’’ bedroom at 10 p.m. and announced with fear and force: “I have cancer.” They looked at me as would any parent of a 13-year-old daughter who was perfectly healthy and extremely active. But I had found a lump, and, for whatever reason, I knew what it… More…

My name is Emily Von Dollen and I a’m 17 years old. In January 2010 I was diagnosed with the rare synovial sarcoma tumor in the palm of my right hand. I had seen an orthopedic doctor two years earlier about “tendonitis” from tennis in my joints. Then he said it was a cyst a… More…

I found a decent-sized lump in the right side of my groin back in June of 2009. I ignored it, until it became larger, painful and the whole area was swollen (this was at the end of September 2009). After seeing my gynecologist, thinking it may be that sort of a problem, she did an… More…

Your New Normal When you are well. When all the worst is over. When the Oncologist says those magic words, “you’re cured”, or “just come back for a yearly check”, you might be asking yourself, “What now”? How does one return to normal? Most will say, you don’t. At this point one can celebrate having… More…

I would like to use the words of the apostle Paul to help tell my story. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted… More…

I would like to share my story with you … I can now add cancer to the long list of things that have defined me. Other things, such as receptionist for a world-renowned rock band, local television spokes-model, and designer of surfing t-shirt’s – those things were much more fun … however they probably didn’t… More…

Susan bravely fought her retroperitoneal sarcoma but lost the battle in December 2008. The following story was written by her husband Bob as a tribute to Susan and for everyone who carries on with their life during the most difficult time anyone can face. Throughout her treatment, Susan was determined to carry on with life… More…

I stay in the game. Some people might say I do more than that — I won the gold medal at the International Racquetball Championships at age 67, while drawing a Social Security check. But for me, “staying in the game” means the transition my life has taken since my doctor told me that I had leiomyosarcoma, or… More…

I was ambivalent about sharing my story as I see so many others who have more struggles and issues as their diagnosis is more severe. But I realized one point of my story may benefit others is the journey of getting the diagnosis and the mishandling of my first surgery. This may help others seek the… More…

In 2003, in my red-haired wig. A friend wrote a song about my cancer to the tune of “Jambalaya (on the Bayou).” Bring on the silly songs and jokes! What’s the point of all this suffering if we can’t laugh occasionally? Plus, I know my cancer has a musical name: leiomyosarcoma, pronounced “lie-oh-my-oh-sar-koh-ma.” Me oh… More…