David Walker cancer medical, in this together

Hi, my name is David Walker. December 2020 I was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), a rare type of cancer that grows in muscles. They are not sure what causes it and the statistical odds of getting the cancer is about 6 in 1 million. “What happened, how and when did you find out you had cancer” you ask… Well let me tell you. I first noticed something different December 2020, I had back pain that wouldn’t go away MD had me take muscle relaxers and OTC Rxs believing it was just a strain. After 6wks of pain MD finally did a CT scan they found a mass about the size of a baseball! A biopsy confirmed that the mass was a rare form of malignant cancer. In May of 2021, I had surgery to remove the tumor. The tumor invaded the left kidney, spleen, gall bladder, adrenal gland, and part of the pancreas. All, except the pancreas, had to be removed.  Post surgery treatment included two weeks in the hospital 2 more weeks of kidney dialysis and 33 sessions of radiation therapy, finishing in October 2021. I continued to get CT scans every 3 months to see if the cancer would return. I was all clear until March 2022 when they found cancer lesions on my liver. Biopsy confirmed lesions malignant so the MD had me start Chemotherapy. The first chemo “cocktail” was on May 19 with several more scheduled, along with frequent visits to my MD and MRIs to monitor how the chemo is working. If the chemo is successful they will surgically remove the cancer and continue to scan for another year in order to see if it has popped up somewhere else or grown, if chemo is not successful they will try some other remedy (possible surgery, and/or trials, this is still being discussed). As my dear old mum would say “That’s all the good news." Taking it one day at a time. A quick note: if you have constant back pain for more than 3wks (beyond what you believe to be your normal strain/pain) make your MD get you a CT scan. If caught early enough it may save you from a surgical “yard sale” like mine.  Thanks for reading my story, a donation is very much appreciated and will help to pay past, present, and future bills. God Bless and tell your family you love them every day. Dave Follow up:  Last chemo 8/11 surgery to remove lesions completed 9/6 am recovering at home. Md said they got all lesions/tumors out that they know of.  Next MRI in next couple of weeks to see if anything else growing.

April 2023 cancer returned more chemo for now