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Story from Sandi

My name is Sandi. I am 21 years old and work at Sharp Hospital, San Diego. I'm an Osteosarcoma survivor! It's still weird saying that. Today, December 22, 2005, is actually my 9-year anniversary. I've been on remission for 9 years!! I was diagnosed in December of '95 when I was 11 years old. I took chemotherapy for one year and underwent limb-salvage surgery. About 6 inches of my femur was removed and replaced with a metal rod, which was to be lengthened over the years as I grew. Although I sometimes wish I could just beat my leg up because of pain when it's cold, I am very grateful that I was able to keep my leg.

I took a little longer than most with recovery. It took nearly 3 years just to walk without a limp. My leg was so stiff that I had almost no ability to straighten or bend my knee. It was horrible! I was extremely discouraged after every physical therapy appointment, seeing that there was nearly no improvement. On top of that, treatment sucked, just as anyone else undergoing chemo would agree. The only thing that kept me going was my sense of humor. I had to make a joke of everything, just so that I wouldn't take things so seriously. If I did, I think it would have eaten me up alive. My smile kept me alive!

I have a few recurring cancer scares every now and then, but I know that even if my worst fear came true (relapse), I would stand tall and fight it again. This is one person that cancer will not defeat.

I have a new reason to keep up my fight and continue beating the odds. I have a beautiful 3 year old little boy, which I wasn't even sure I could have because of the adult dosage chemotherapy I had to take.

Cancer has become a part of my life even 9 years later. My job is to tell others my story to keep hope alive. Support groups like SOMBFAB at Children's Hospital, San Diego, helped me to see that there are so many others going through the same thing I did 9 years ago. I'm here to say...You can do it...Look at me!