In 1993 I felt a small lump, about the size of a marble in my right shoulder.  I made an appointment with my general practitioner and he told me it was nothing to worry about.  He called it a fatty tumor and said that it was very common.  Several months later I saw my gynecologist and the subject came up again while I was talking with his nurse.  He sent me to see a specialist and that Dr. wanted me to have an MRI.  The MRI and a follow-up biopsy confirmed that I had a soft tissue sarcoma histiocytoma in my deltoid muscle.  That was shocking news!

In the months and years to come I would have radiation and multiple surgeries to remove the tumor.  During that time I was referred to Dr. Conrad.  Through the UW Hospital I received 8 cycles of intensive chemotherapy.  That was the most difficult experience of my entire life.  The tumor recurred about a year after I finished chemotherapy and a forequarter amputation of my right arm/shoulder took place in January 1999.

Living with one arm hasn't been as difficult as I once thought it would be, but it does not come without some frustrating moments.  My husband and I couldn't find very much information as to how to function in a two-handed world.  So we "guessed and by goshed" our way to a few helpful ideas.  The information we accumulated developed into my one arm web site.  http://www.toysrbob.com/onearm/

It was also very inspiring for me to read two of Dave Dravecky's books dealing with his forequarter amputation, Comeback & When You Can't Come Back.  Dave was a major league pitcher for the San Francisco Giants before he lost his dominate arm to cancer.  He and his wife offer hope and encouragement to amputee's through their ministry.  http://www.outreachofhope.org/

Through it all I have had the most awesome support from my husband, family, friends and my church.  I have felt cared for in every way.  I am extremely thankful and humbled to be able to say, I have been cancer free for 10 years!  I consider that truly a miracle!  Each day is a gift from the Lord.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. "Chappie" Conrad for his kind heart, his patience with me and his most knowledgeable expertise in my care.   He was always willing to spend whatever time I needed to get through all my questions, concerns and fears.