Marcia’s Story (Bone Cancer)

My name is Marcia Wearing. I was diagnosed in 1984 with stage four bone cancer (osteosarcoma). I was given a 50/50 survival rate. I was 18 years old at the time, and had dreams of becoming a dancer. I put my career on hold and began a regiment of chemotherapy. I went once a month for chemo treatments, and bone scans. The three different medicines that I took did not shrink the tumor in three months. I went in for surgery to remove the tumor that had not shrunk, but was growing, Due to the severity of the disease I ended up losing my right leg.

I became very bitter, blaming everyone, and not seeing that no one was to blame. I thought I had done something wrong to have this happen to me. I began doubting I would every see let alone stand on a dance floor.The doctors told me that they had one more drug and if the chemo does not work they could nothing for me. I took my last chemo treatment and took an experiment drug that was not for bone cancer, it was for another type of cancer. I had to go back to the hospital two days later to have a bone scan to see if the cancer had responded to the chemo.

I had my miracle, it was gone, no signs of any tumors. Not many people get a second chance, so I took full advantage of my new life. I went to college for criminology with a minor in creative dance.  I had been taught how to dance in a wheelchair. The pain went away, and I began to laugh again.  I felt so wonderful on that dance floor. I stayed and graduated with a degree in creative dance. I remained cancer free for 29 years and then the nightmare came again. In 2011, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I had to have radiation and a lumpectomy. I have been in remission for two years. I thank God for all of the years I have been given. I am proud of my scars, it is something that tried to kill me. I won, those are my battle scars, and I wear them proudly.

LIVE FOR TODAY, LEARN FROM YESTERDAY, HOPE FOR TOMORROW. LET US PLEASE PRAY FOR A CURE. THANKS FOR LETTING ME TELL MY STORY.

Marcia W
Pennsylvania
Submitted 5-13-2013

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.