Soft Tissue Sarcoma Survivor Shares Entire Treatment Journey | Kara's Story

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07/18/23

Kara Ladd was just 24 years old when she got hit with her soft tissue synovial sarcoma diagnosis. In this The Patient Story interview, she shares everything from how she knew something was wrong, pushing for a new doctor, going through two surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Time codes are below! For her full story, check out: www.thepatientstory.com/cancer....s/sarcoma/soft-tissu

1. Getting Diagnosed
(00:25) 1st symptoms
(2:13) Going to the doctor's
(3:32) MRI scan
(7:45) Doctor's calming words
(8:48) Meeting the surgeon - and not liking him!
(10:06) Tumor removal surgery
(13:20) How the misdiagnosis of "benign tumor" affected treatment
(14:14) Advocating for yourself as a patient
(15:34) Getting the diagnosis
(18:28) Breaking the news to loved ones

2. Treatment Decisions
(21:30) Choosing an oncologist
(23:21) PET scan
(25:10) Overall treatment plan

3. Chemotherapy
(54:00) Getting a PICC line
(26:55) Chemotherapy regimen (ifosfamide, doxorubicin)
(29:47) Outpatient experience, wearing a pump
(32:10) Chemo side effects

4. Hair Loss
(35:54) Deciding what to do with hair

5. Second Surgery & Radiation
(41:10) Next steps
(45:41) Tibial nerve surgery
(47:28) Processing post-surgery news (great news!)
(49:31) Radiation

6. Reflections
(52:13) How did treatment end
(55:17) How to ask people for support
(57:40) Cancer as a young adult, changed life perspectives
(1:00:52) Last message to others