SARCOMA TOOK MY LEG BUT NOT MY ZEST FOR LIVING.
In 2011, I had sarcoma in my right calf. I had surgery and radiation and thought I was finished with it.
In 2022, it returned, and I had to have below the knee amputation. It was very stressful until I got my prosthetic. I got a new Fillauer All Pro XTS paid for by Kaiser earlier this year. Also, my grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation came through, which I used part of to buy new tennis rackets and equipment. I went back to teaching at Vallejo Adult School in the Bay Area, playing music and tennis.
I’m luckier than many amputees as I had excellent support from my family and have not experienced phantom limb pain. A friend of mine near Boston passed away a few months ago from sarcoma. Two doctors misdiagnosed it in 2011. Thankfully it did not spread in my case. My friend was not so lucky.
I’ve included a photo I submitted to CAF to secure the grant.