Sunday, September 17, 2017
Chemical Abstracts Service
2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus 43202
Our Mission
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We strive to bring patient, family, and community sarcoma awareness and education by raising orthopaedic sarcoma pilot research funds, to promote improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
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survivor stories...
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Maggie Butler
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Lauren Esterline
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I am a 33 year old, married mom of two amazing kiddos. Two years ago I was diagnosed with cancer of an unknown origin. In January 2015, the wonderful doctors and pathologists at The New James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute figured out that I had a very rare soft tissue sarcoma called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, an aggressive cancer that usually occurs in multiple masses in the abdomen and affects the lymph nodes and lining of the pelvis and abdomen. With very few adults and children that are diagnosed with this every year, it is not a cancer that is well known and the amount of information and medical research is extremely limited.
Since my diagnosis, I have had 4 major surgeries, 12 cycles of high powered inpatient VAC/IE chemotherapy, used an oral immunotherapy, radiation therapy and had additional maintenance chemotherapy. Needless to say, for the past two years, it has been a long road. My goal has been to bring Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor into the spotlight and make everyone who will listen aware of this ugly disease. Our event team is called Maggie's Madhatters (and many of us wear crazy hats to the event!) and we have been the largest team to attend the event for the past two years and have fundraised for more than $7,500 in two years! Today I can actually breathe and put a smile on my face. Knowing what this sarcoma is capable of doing to people, I am just happy to be able to say that my scans are clear, as there are many people who cannot say this right now in their fight. I know how fortunate I am right now and know that this may not always be the news in the future, but as of today, I can breathe, be happy, and live in all the wonderful moments that currently surround me. Today is a good day!! Maggie Butler, Sarcoma Survivor |
On November 22, 2015, my oldest daughter, Lauren, broke her femur. At the time she was 9 years old. The first hospital we went to suspected it broke due to osteosarcoma. She was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and it was confirmed. My child had cancer. I felt as though our world was falling apart, but I took comfort in knowing that she was being treated at Children’s. I used to work there and knew she was going to receive excellent care.
Lauren had 7 months of aggressive chemotherapy and a total femur replacement using a Stanmore JTS Extendible Implant – a limb-sparing surgery. A wonderful team of surgeons, led by Dr. Scharschmidt, performed the surgery in February 2016. It’s been a long recovery, but it was definitely worth it. She is still in physical therapy twice a week and is continuously improving. I would never wish this on anyone, especially a child. Throughout this journey, however, we have learned so much and we have much to be grateful for. Our friends, family, community, and medical team have rallied around Lauren and our family, which has given us strength. We have a new perspective on life and we no longer take our time together for granted. This year Lauren will be starting the 5th grade. She is an honor roll student and one day aspires to become a teacher. We know how important it is to fund new and current research projects. A big ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who donates to make the Steps for Sarcoma event a success! Jocelyn Esterline, Mother of Lauren Esterline |
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Mary Connolly
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Jared Sylvester
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One month after my 21st birthday, and just before I was scheduled to begin my senior year at Ohio State University, I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. My whole world was turned upside down. I was paralyzed by uncertainty and fear, with a focus on surviving.
Little did I know that treatment was just the first of many hurdles. I was equally unprepared for the challenges that I would face after completing treatment as I attempted to resume the normal activities of life. I struggled to communicate with my family about how devastated I was by both the physical and emotional impact of cancer. I questioned my faith, lost friends who couldn’t handle the severity of my diagnosis and wondered if I would ever return to an active, healthy life. As I look back on the 7 years since my diagnosis, I am more grateful than ever to have life. I am still young in years on earth, but wise beyond my years in life experiences. I value relationships like I never did before cancer and know with absolute certainty that the rest of my story, cancer or no cancer, is being written by my all-knowing, loving heavenly father who offers me a hope that nothing in this world can compare to. 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime – a staggering statistic that affects each one of us. As an “orphan cancer,” sarcoma rarely receives the attention it deserves in the research community. Together we can change that. I am alive today because of the expertise and care of an amazing team of doctors and nurses at The James. Through the Steps for Sarcoma event, we all have the opportunity to be a part of helping to eradicate this devastating disease. Join with me and the doctors and researchers at the OSUCCC-James, to find new treatments – and one day a cure for sarcoma patients everywhere. -Mary Connolly, sarcoma survivor |
My name is Jared Sylvester, I am a 25 year old cancer survivor. Although I am not defined by my original diagnosis my life has forever been changed by the three simple words “you have cancer”. I grew up in Upper Arlington, Ohio and was blessed to be surrounded and loved by a great family and community. I went off to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio after graduating high school. During my Junior year I was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Osteosarcoma. I immediately withdrew from school and started treatment. As an independent college student who believed he was invincible this diagnoses brought about massive change in my world. Having never spent more than an afternoon in a hospital to living there non-stop for a year changed me as an individual and gave me renewed perspective on the world. After a full year of intensified chemotherapy and multiple surgeries to remove the tumor I was officially declared ‘in remission’. To be presented with such devastating news upon hearing I have cancer is overwhelming in one regard. But to hear my team of doctors pronounce me cancer free produces a lasting and penetrating peace that my emotions could not fathom. It was a long and difficult journey to travel down but standing on the other side of it I know that it has been the most shaping experience in my life. I am 100% confident to proclaim that my health care professionals are hands down the best in the country. Without the work of the Surgeons, Doctors, Physicians Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Researchers, and many others I would not be here today. I am eternally grateful for their endless care and support which saved my life. I personally witnessed the diligence, determination, and discipline of the Ohio State medical team and I know that every dollar donated to cancer research will be well spent because of any medical staff in the world this team is the most well equipped to bring about an end of cancer.
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