Sarcoma Survivor Stories - Meet Katherine Vickers
When were you originally diagnosed and what sub-type were you given?
I was originally diagnosed in 2015. The doctors had no idea what kind of cancer it was in the beginning. It wasn’t until 2017-2018 that it was pinpointed as a sarcoma. There still is no definitive cell type- only that it is some kind of sarcoma.
What was your initial reaction?
My initial reaction was pure fear. I had a baby at the time and the unknown scared me to death.
What is your treatment plan?
The doctors had been able to treat it through surgery to try to remove it. When it kept coming back the only option then was amputation.
What do you feel is the most important thing when going through cancer treatments?
I feel like the most important thing is your relationship with God and your family. You need them to get you over that emotional hill. I found that the more i spoke about what i was going through, the better i was.
Did you have a recurrence and how long were you in remission before this occurred?
I had my first recurrence 6 months after my very first surgery to remove what was believed to be only one tumor. It came back every 3-4 months for two years until my amputation in July of 2018.
What was your next course of treatment?
My next course of treatment was surgery. I had six foot surgeries before my amputation in 2018.
What is the best piece of advice you can offer someone going through a similar situation to what you went through?
You don’t have to feel like you have to be strong all the time. Let people see your vulnerability. Knowing that you have cancer and fighting this battle is so hard. Accept help because people want to be there for you!!!
What is one positive thing that has come out of your experience?
The most positive thing my experience has taught me is not to take anything for granted. It is so important to surround yourself with people, things and activities that lift your spirits and make you happy!
