Sidelined by Sarcoma: A teen athlete’s determination to get back on the field

In January of his senior year, Thomas was stretching and noticed a painless bump on the back of his hamstring. The 3-sport athlete thought nothing of it. But by the spring, the lump had grown to the size of a baseball. Thomas was immediately directed to Siteman kids where Washington University pediatric oncologist, Dr. Amy Armstrong, confirmed the mass was a sarcoma. Listen as Thomas, his mom Amelia, and Dr. Armstrong describe the long, intense treatment plan that delayed his plans for college football, and the mental grit it took to return to the sport he loved. Thomas also shares the advice he has for other young athletes. 

 

After a diagnosis, every Siteman patient and their medical team develops a treatment plan, and every treatment plan becomes as unique as the patient it supports. Chuck learned how to tailor a treatment plan firsthand as he acted as a caregiver to his son, and again when he faced a cancer diagnosis himself. In this episode, Chuck shares his experience alongside Tate Rondot, Siteman’s Manager of Support Services. Both are involved in Siteman’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), a group dedicated to helping every patient create the plan they need during their cancer care. They offer considerations and resources that personalize patients’  treatment from diagnosis to hospice and every stage in between.

 

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.

 

For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:

https://siteman.wustl.edu/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/specialized-programs/sarcoma/

https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/childhood-cancer-survivorship-program

https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/proton-beam-therapy

https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/childhood-cancers/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/kids/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/doctor/armstong-amy/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/sarcoma/