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I was ten years old the first time I noticed the seething, sharp pain in my left shoulder. At times this pain was so intense, it would wake me from my sleep. It felt like a burning, hot knife ripping through the flesh of my body. After much complaining, my Mom and Dad became concerned and started taking me to different doctors. I will forever be grateful to the third doctor who discovered a bone tumor called a chondro – blastoma growing in my shoulder joint. The doctor prepared us for the worst indicating that this particular tumor could potentially be cancerous. At that young age I did not understand the significance of a potential diagnosis of “cancer,” but I did understand the worry and upset in my mother’s eyes. For the next several days, I can remember everyone around me being concerned and scared.

My parents found a special orthopedic surgeon at Geisinger Medical Center who agreed to operate on me even though my condition was very rare. He suggested the operation would involve removing the bone tumor. He also told us he could only determine if my tumor was cancerous through the surgery. I did not like the idea of being operated on, especially when the surgeon told me he would have to replace the removed piece of bone from a bone bank with a stranger’s bone if they found a right fit. About a year after my surgery, I learned that the piece of bone had come from a deceased donor.

Thankfully, my six-hour operation was successful; the tumor was benign and the deceased donor’s bone was a perfect match. After a painful recovery and missing many weeks of school, the only side effect I presently experience is that my left arm is a tiny bit shorter then my right. I have learned to adjust and compensate over the years and most people are surprised to learn of my condition. The six-inch purple scar on my shoulder is a sure give away and daily reminder of how lucky I am.

My experience with the chondro-blastoma...