Dealing with Desmoid Tumors

Life after surgery

I started to title this, Life After Desmoid Tumors, but there is no after. These things aren't curable or preventable; if you’re lucky they are removable. Reoccurrence rate is 50%, leaving you second guessing every ache, every pain; “is that my tumor coming back or am I just sore from working out?” My sciatic nerve gives me trouble occasionally but because of the nerve damage it is hard to tell exactly where the pain is coming from, leading to more mild paranoia. All this is now my normal and like everyone’s daily struggles you learn to deal and live in spite of it.

I refuse to let this run my life, determine my future or cripple me. I move forward keeping my eyes on my goals, rarely thinking about what I have to overcome to get there. If you can’t get over it or around it then you must deal with it. I package mine in a pretty little box and carry it with me. I have gotten so used to the weight of it I rarely acknowledge I am carrying it.

The doctor visits and MRI’s twice a year serves as my reminder. But as soon as those few hours are over, I put it in the back on my mind and continue on my journey. It’s not that I am denying it; it’s just that I chose to live!

I eat healthy; I stay active and most important I keep getting up and putting one foot in front of the other. Feeling bad about yourself, thinking and focusing on the negative won’t help. Fighting gives you hope, fighting gives you purpose and direction!

Trust me, I know when the dark is closing in around you it is hard to see the light but just know it’s there, trust it’s there—stand up and walk forward.