Since there is little information available to
patients they often don’t know where to turn to next after they are diagnosed. There
are millions of questions that they have and few are easily answered. What type
of doctor should I be seeing? What is the next step? Do I get chemo, radiation,
surgery? All too often, the doctor that diagnoses the tumor doesn’t have the
answer either. And unless the doctor is willing to take the time and really
research and become an expert themselves, the patient ends up either becoming
their own advocate, or slipping thru the cracks.
Unlike
breast cancer we don’t have a ribbon or catchy slogans. There is no awareness
month for GCT survivors; we are actually just lucky if people know that we exist.
It’s time to change that. These are some of our GCT survivors. They have agreed
to share their stories and experiences in hopes that other people like us won’t
have to go thru this alone. So please take some time and meet a few of our
survivors, read their stories and don’t be afraid to ask questions. We will do
our best to answer. I hope that we will
continue to add stories on a regular basis.
*These stories are from Giant Cell Tumor Survivors. Unless
otherwise stated, these individuals are not doctors. Nothing contained within
this blog constitutes medical advice. If you think that you might be ill or
are afraid that you have GCT or any form of cancer, please consult with your
primary care provider. We are not qualified to diagnose you, and frankly, if anyone attempts to diagnose you over the internet, run far and run fast! Advice is one thing, (and if that advice does not include see your doctor, I wouldn't think much of it) only a doctor can diagnose you, in person, and after a series of medical exams.
