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I haven't been on Pianoworld much lately. Been lurking a little, but not posting. I noticed a lump on my leg a couple months ago, and after ultrasounds and an MRI, and finally a biopsy, an oncologist confirmed that it was a cancerous tumor (liposarcoma). Under the circumstances, I'm pretty lucky: it's very early and "well defined", and CT scans show that it hasn't spread. Even for treatment I was fortunate: there are only about 100 Orthopedic Oncologists in the country, but there are 3 in this area, so I didn't have to travel for treatment. I had surgery last Tuesday to remove the tumor, and am recuperating at home. I'm still a little stiff and sore, but haven't even had much pain. Initially I was pretty stressed about it, but, all-in-all, I think it hasn't been so bad, and I'm counting my blessings.

Sorry to hear about your problem, but really glad to hear it is all working out.

Best wishes.

Glad you found the problem early, got treatment and are recovering nicely, Retsacnal.

As for me, I had a bit of bad luck health wise... I slipped and fell and landed on my right elbow, which jammed my arm up into my shoulder back in November. Initially, I thought it was a bad sprain but after a few weeks realized it more than just a sprain.

I went to see an ortho dr., who gave me a cortisone shot in the shoulder and prescribed 6 weeks of physical therapy. Just started the the PT a little over a week ago. There is a good chance the PT can get me back to where I was, at least, even if there is some rotator cuff tearing. If not, I'll need the shoulder surgery.

The PT is rough and painful, but I think the surgery followed by PT is even more so.

I didn't mean to whine too much in your thread, but it seemed like a good place to vent a little...

I hope you continue to recover and remain cancer free!

Rick

Those are indeed the moments that you count your blessings.. Good to hear that surgery went well.

It's reassuring to know that it's been removed and now you can get on with your life. I am sure that you will be fine.

All the very best for the speedy recovery of your leg.

Robert.

Wish you all the best with your recovery. Sounds like it was detected reasonably early.

My dad was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer (leiomyosarcoma in his case) in his leg about 20 years back. Although age has caught up with him now, he has stayed completely clean since the surgery.

All the best!

I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.

Best wishes.

We hope you're fully recovered soon.

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

PT (piano therapy) will get you up to snuff.

All the best.

Sounds like it went as well as can be expected. Bravo! Continue to full recovery and get back the important things - practicing and PW.

To Rick - here's hoping you have the best outcome possible as well.

Rick,

Sorry to hear about your fall. Are you able to play the piano?

Hi Dave,

I feel badly about piggy-backing on Retsacnal's thread... so, I decided to start another thread about my shoulder injury.

Retsacnal, I hope you continue to improve and am so glad you are well on your way to a full recovery.

Rick

Hope you are feeling much better soon and make a full recovery, Retsacnal! same to you, Rick!

Sophia

"...I had surgery last Tuesday to remove the tumor, and am recuperating at home. I'm still a little stiff and sore, but haven't even had much pain. Initially I was pretty stressed about it, but, all-in-all, I think it hasn't been so bad, and I'm counting my blessings..."

You've done everything right--- you deserve the good luck you've had with your diagnosis and treatment, and I hope you recover quickly, and fully. Having a positive attitude is absolutely a key to a good recovery, and an emotionally healthy life. Brooding over our sorrows, well, not so much--- you can definitely whine yourself to death.

It's not the most pleasant thing to have to undergo this, but it is truly a wonderful thing to have lived into a time where, thanks to medical knowledge, a recovery is possible. I've been seeing a lot of a handsome young dentist for the last couple of years, and I have to frequently remind myself of this. I think of the dreadful condition of Queen Elizabeth I's teeth--- the wealthiest and most powerful person in the world--- but all her money and power couldn't buy her 30 minutes with a dentist... for there was no such thing in her time.

Dentist and surgeons; lucky us! Anyway... very best of luck to you, and I hope you feel better soon.

Wishes of speedy recovery to both of you.
Best regards-

Healing wishes to you Retsacnal and Rick.
It seems that all of us at some point or other go through restricting, difficult and painful experiences.
Wishing best for your health.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I appreciate it. Trying to stay positive, and so far it's going ok. Fortunately I was able to take care of it over the Winter break. Classes start tomorrow, but I only lecture on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I don't start until Wednesday. Weather permitting, I'll go in tomorrow to take care of a few things. I have some numbness/tingles in my leg--apparently nerve damage is common after surgery--and I think moving around is actually more helpful than resting, and hope that heals up quickly.

You're right about that. And according to legend, George Washington was driven crazy with his dental problems and wooden teeth!

On a serious note, the cure for my condition, as recently as the 90's, was amputation! Thank God for medical advances!

Best wishes for recovery!