Until May 2024, I had never even heard the word 'Sarcoma'.  Didn't know it was a thing.  But in a matter of 5 days my life went from "man, my leg is really bothering me" to "I need to refer you to a colleague at Duke Cancer Center" yet, I consider myself incredibly lucky.  A fellow baseball coach, who has become a friend, is a fantastic Orthopedic Surgeon in the area.  He helped kick start the process from "my leg is bothering me" to a diagnosis of a large Myxoid Liposarcoma tumor in my left thigh. Something the size of a burrito pushing against the sciatic nerve was the cause of the pain/neuropathy.  I had the great fortune of being referred to Duke Sarcoma Center and their fantastic team of Doctors, Nurses, and specialists.

Fast forward a few weeks.  Well, honestly, nothing in those weeks felt fast.  The days seemed like weeks, the weeks like months.  What's next?  What's happening?  What do we need to do?  Where do I need to be?  I have things to do, let's get this show on the road.  Friends who have previously fought, and won, the battle with cancer told me 'things are going to seem incredibly slow, but once they start moving, it will come at you really fast.'  Thankfully, once it started, it did move fast.  I have since started and completed radiation (did not turn me into a superhero....yet) and have my upcoming scans and doctor visits to determine what's next.  

Sarcoma is a rare cancer subgroup that develops in bone and soft tissues (think - fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, fibrous tissue).  Per the American Cancer Society, on average 15,000 cases of sarcoma are diagnosed each year - 12,000 soft tissue and 3,000 bone.  That number represents approximately 1% of all adult cancers.  To continue to allow the wonderful team at Duke Sarcoma Center to research, collaborate, and provide comprehensive care, they need funding.  Money raised as part of this 5k/10k will allow these professionals to push towards a cure for Sarcoma. 

'What's next?' is the question I've been asking for several months now.  But, I don't need to wait for the answer.  What's next ... doesn't matter.  What's next is what's next whether it's a scan, surgery, or another type of treatment.  I don't care what's next.  Tell me where I have to be and what I have to do and I'll meet you there.  "What's next?" for the Sarcoma Sluggers?  Fund raising.  A 5k/10k on September 8th.  A push toward a cure for Sarcoma.  

I'll be at WakeMed Soccer Park September 8th for the Strike Out For Sarcoma 5k.  I'd love for you to join the team.  Walk. Run. Jog. Hobble.  Whatever it takes.  Let's slug this thing out of the park!