Ingrid wants the world to know about sarcoma

Ingrid wants the world to know about sarcoma

In 2017, 49 year old Ingrid noticed a lump on her inner thigh.  Ingrid thought it was an odd spot for a lump to appear and when it kept growing she sought medical advice from her local GP in New Zealand.  Her GP immediately sent her off for an ultrasound.  That was when Ingrid jumped online looking for a potential diagnosis.  Her instincts told her this lump was potentially sinister and google did not help calm her nerves.  

The radiologist performing the ultrasound broke the news to Ingrid, she had what appeared to be a sarcoma.  Rather than follow protocol and the usual path of being referred to an orthopaedic surgeon first, the radiologist immediately referred her for an MRI scan. Ingrid was incredibly fortunate to have a skilled and knowledgeable radiologist who, along with her GP, expedited her care.  With the confirmatory MRI, Ingrid’s treatment commenced.

Ingrid underwent five weeks of radiation followed by surgery in a city that was nowhere near her home.  There are only two sarcoma specialist centres in New Zealand, one in Christchurch and one in Auckland.  Ingrid travelled to Auckland to receive surgery through the specialist team.  It was long and complicated and her path to post surgery recovery was not straight forward however her sarcoma was gone.  One of the most important determinants of a good sarcoma outcome is receiving care through a specialist team. 

Two years later during one of her routine scans, a new sarcoma nodule was detected in her lung.  The diagnosis came as a shock and left her feeling numb. Ingrid was fortunate, the lump was removed through her specialist surgical team once again and no further treatment was required.

Now every six months Ingrid undergoes scans which carry a level of anxiety and trepidation but she knows there is no alternative.  It is always better to know.

Sarcoma is a lonely disease.  It is not well known, it doesn’t receive the lime light and attention that more common cancers like brain, breast and skin receive.  Ingrid’s wish is for more people to be aware of sarcoma and understand a little about the disease, for more funding to be granted for research and of course for no one to ever go through sarcoma treatment again.

Sarcoma has taught Ingrid not to sweat the small things in life and that she can tackle most things life throws at her.  The hardest thing she has had to do was tell her husband and family.   Now she wants to tell the world so more people are aware of sarcoma.