In October of 2018 I went into the doctor complaining of back pain that had been going on for too long. After doing several scans, they told me the pain was caused by a compression fracture in my back and that the cause was a rather large tumor that was growing on my spine.
Within a couple of days I was scheduled for pretty major back surgery where they replaced a vertebrae, as well as a fusion. While they were doing back surgery they sent a biopsy of the tumor to find out what it was. It was then that I met my superhero of an Oncologist at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington, Dr Kaplan.
He talked me through all my options for treatment once my back was healed from surgery and we decided on a chemotherapy regimen that required me to be in the hospital for a week at a time. Thankfully my body handled the treatment really well and I did not suffer many of the "typical" side effects from chemo. As of April of 2019 I rang the bell after my 6th and final treatment. Shortly after I had a clean PET scan and could be declared officially Cancer FREE.
I am proud to join Pedal the Cause in the fight against cancer. Pedal the Cause is more than the region's largest cancer fundraiser. It's a way of life, a celebration, a family and a movement fueled by the courage to end cancer.
Please support my efforts by donating to my fundraiser, and give with confidence knowing that 100% of your donation will fund lifesaving cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
