RELAY FOR LIFE HONORARY CHAIR STEVE MUECKE

In July of 2018 my life as I knew it changed. I had been suffering from a lot of stomach-intestinal issues and over a two week period, repeatedly ended up going to the emergency room several times for pain. Most of the time I received a temporary pain killer and was sent home. There were always “no results”, or we “can’t” find anything. After several weeks I had gone in late at night for pain, and had another CT scan to see what was happening. This time the surgeon said “I’m not really sure what is going on but I noticed this in the x-ray and I’m concerned about what it is.

What the doctor had seen was a large white spot showing up on my x-ray. I had a large lump on my lower sternum I had known about for years and noticed that it had slowly grown larger over several years. I assumed that it was an old injury from being a mechanic my entire life and never paid much attention to it. I learned that night in the ER that it was something to be concerned about.

I found out that I had a tumor growing on my sternum, cartilage and ribs and needed to go to a cancer doctor ASAP, I asked what he thought it was, He replied, “I think it’s a chondrosarcoma”! I had never heard the word before, but that night I learned what it was. Chondrosarcoma is a bone and cartilage cancer. It’s a primary cancer derived from cells that produce our cartilage. It affects soft tissue and bone. It is a rarer type that affects about 600 people a year. It generally affects the legs, hips, and spine. It has also been known to be resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. The only way is to remove them through surgery.

I found a cancer doctor in Sioux Falls and we began the process of figuring out what I had to do next. Since the location of my tumor was where it was, and not a lot of doctors in Sioux Falls with experience in this field, we had to find a surgeon who could remove it. They were not sure if the surgeon should be a heart surgeon or cancer surgeon.

It was decided that the surgery would be done at the Avera Heart Hospital because the heart doctors knew hot to cut through the ribs and sternum areas.

On August 1, 2018, I had my tumor removed from my sternum. Three ribs were partially removed and capped with metal along with the cartilage. This surgery was about 2 hours and I remained in the hospital for 7 days and remained home for approximately 6 weeks. My tumor was sent to Boston MA to the Woman’s Cancer Center for diagnosis and took about 10 days to return the verdict: It was malignant.

We were shocked and stunned. We knew it was a possibility but hearing that word…….Our family was devastated, as most people are. “What were we going to do? What was gonna happen now?” All questions and fears passed through our hearts. With a good doctor and good advice we were told all we can do now is have CT scans every six months and watch to see if it returns. We still watch carefully and I am having CT scans yearly. The cancer has a 25% chance of returning but that gives me 75% chance to have a great life!

If it wasn’t for cancer doctors, the American Cancer Society for the research and discovery of these cancers that I have were would we be! Please remember to support the American Cancer Society. You never know when a loved one will hear those words and to know that you have support and research to help you get through it.

What a blessing to be chosen as honorary chair for relay and to be able to tell my story. Thank you for choosing me. It helps to share cancer stories to let others suffering that you are not alone. Understanding and listening are vital to help other cancer victims with their life journey.

I want to also take this time to Thank all those who helped us at that time. Our church family a HUGE blessing! Prayers and kindness from community, the gift cards we received in the mail anonymously, groceries delivered and Jay Ireton for helping with yard chores, and my wife, Ann, who stood by through it all with me!. Thank You!