Daughter(28) diagnosed with bone cancer 😞 Anyone else have family member newly diagnosed (with any cancer)? Let's support each other

[SmockAndBeret]

My daughter was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma (type of bone cancer) this week. It's large and looks like it's been growing a long time inside her femur. She's awaiting a PET scan to check for any metastasis, and will have surgery in February regardless of what PET scan shows.
Surgery is huge and awful: complete removal of her femur, part of her hip and knee, to be replaced with titanium.
She's being really positive and upbeat, but the whole thing is just pure horror. I'm really struggling.

Does anyone else have a young person or other loved one recently diagnosed with cancer?

Thanks for your further comments, all. I really appreciate every one.
DD's now been given an appointment for PET-CT scan on Monday. It's a relief that things are now happening; however she is now having other pains and problems, which is a worry.

Great to hear your DN made a full recovery @OldieButBaddie, it's nice to hear positive outcomes! Not sure if DD will dance again but she's said she'll be happy if she can walk.

God this sucks.

I was diagnosed with a whopping great tumor in my bowel (I’m 44). We thought the worst and was scary.

but I’ve been through major surgery and chemo which I finish this month and I’m cancer free and getting back to health to start my new life.

it’s a scary time but we just cracked on and got through it the best we could.

you see life very differently after a cancer diagnosis and appreciate the little things in life.

I hope your daughter has a similar journey xx

Can I ask how big your bowel tumour was and what type of surgery you had please? My dh is going through this right now 😐

My friend had something like this at a similar age. They took out the femur and one of the quad muscles and he underwent chemo. He got a donor bone, actually. It was a year of hell but he's been fine for 6 years now. Obviously he walks with a limp but so far so good.

Thinking of you and your daughter

No advice @SmockAndBeret but have everything crossed for your daughter. Life can be so cruel at times

I know a young lady who at 14 had to have her femur removed, they actually used her lower leg and ankle to make a “new femur” and then a prosthetic lower leg, apart from a small limp which is only noticeable if you are really looking you wouldn’t realise when she’s in trousers but 10 years on she’s actually proud of her prosthetic leg she calls Matilda and happily wears short skirts and shorts, nobody cares of course and she loves telling people if they ask. The chemo was the worst but not the surgery which she says was just mechanical! She’s considered free of cancer

6.5cm stage 3 and had spread through wall into blood vessels

top of bowel remove (right hemioctopy or something like that.) no stoma.

all done by keyhole. Was in hospital for 2 nights enjoying the fentanyl and morphine 😂 but had enough and wanted out. Just have to prove you can walk upstairs and you need to fart before they release you 😂 followed by 8 rounds of tablet chemo (6month) which was delivered to my door. After op I was classed as NED (no evidence of cancer) and I was given the choice of chemo as precaution or no chemo and get on with it. I chose chemo to give myself the best chance and no regrets. I get really tired and have nerve issues in my hands and feet but no hair loss etc. I was hoping I’d lose of weight but nope 😂

I know it’s not what you’re asking for but get her to apply for pip straight away. I’ve now been waiting 8 months for mine! Also apply for blue badge (free hosp parking) and a medical exemption card for free prescriptions x

My son had cancer in his bowel that was almost all of his small intestine. It was blood cancer though, not bowel cancer. Stage 3.

It caused a bowel blockage and septic shock so he had emergency surgery and a stoma fitted before we even knew it was cancer that had caused it all. They did have to open him fully due to how unwell he was and he had to have a few more surgeries due to kinks in his stoma and then a stoma blockage caused by adhesions. He ended up having his stoma for 9 months and was able to have it reversed after he had finished treatment and was no longer neutropenic.

He's been in remission for 16 months now and had his reversal surgery just over a year ago. That was a much more smaller op, they didn't have to open him fully and the recovery was much easier than his initial surgeries.

Hope everything goes well with your DH xx

@SmockAndBeret it is so horrible to wait and nothing is happening while you and your loved one are panicking that it is just sitting there. I hope you have some news now- does your daughter have a cancer nurse who can chase things for her? Not sure how it works across different specialties.

My sister has had an update that scans for further spread are clear and she is stage 2 so there are good options, she is feeling positive.

Thank you all for posting. DD is having a PET-CT scan on Monday which is a huge relief. Well, things are happening, at least.

I'm glad your son made a full recovery, @Kirbert2 . Must have been a terrifying time for you all.

@houseofisms thanks, good idea. She's got a pass for prescriptions now, but will consider PIP. Not sure if she'll qualify if she recovers adequately within12 months, but certainly worth looking into. So glad you've had a positive "journey" too! I can't imagine the relief!

DD is worried about money though... Once she's on SSP she says she'll struggle to pay rent. Luckily DH and I are in a position to help, but the thought that someone could have cancer and lose their home is so awful.

The (first) big surgery will be in 2-3 weeks now. It's just so unimaginable.

Thanks again for your stories, suggestions and good wishes, all, and sending love and best wishes to everyone else affected by cancer.