Maija’s Story: The Power of Informed Choice and Self-Advocacy

When Maija Goldman first felt a persistent ache in her knee in early 2024. She initially sought medical advice only to be told by a doctor that it was likely just a sprain. Trusting that initial assessment, she tried to push through the discomfort, but as the pain intensified, her intuition told her something was wrong. She decided to seek a second opinion and get checked once more before a planned trip to Mexico. That decision changed everything. The second evaluation revealed a massive growth that was soon diagnosed as Osteosarcoma, which later metastasized to stage 4 in her lungs. Maija’s journey from that moment has been one of immense resilience, but it has also been a profound lesson in why patients need more than just a clinical diagnosis—they need the full picture.

After seeking care at a specialized sarcoma unit, Maija underwent limb-salvage surgery to remove a 10cm mass. At the time, the narrative she received was optimistic. She was told she would walk normally and be fine. Amputation was never presented as a viable or even preferable option. However, the reality of the last year and a half has been a stark contrast to those initial promises. Due to extensive nerve involvement and the complexity of the tumor, Maija’s recovery has been defined by chronic pain and significant mobility struggles. Despite eighteen months of dedicated physical therapy, her stability remains compromised and she must rely on a cane. She often feels that the physical and emotional weight of her limb outweighs the benefit of having kept it, admitting that she feels cheated out of the chance to make a truly informed decision.

Maija’s experience with metastasis further highlighted the necessity of patient advocacy. While her medical team stayed within the lines of traditional protocols, Maija and her partner began looking outward. She opted against chemotherapy, feeling that the only way she could remain okay was to decline that specific path. Through her partner’s research into international studies and East Coast specialists, they discovered cryo-ablation—a procedure performed through interventional radiology. Even when faced with a lack of awareness from her primary specialists regarding this option, Maija pushed forward. Her partner eventually found a specialist on the East Coast who recommended a colleague at OHSU, finally bridging the gap between typical treatment and the innovation Maija needed.

Today, Maija continues to navigate her new normal with the vital support of her partner and sister. While she still faces moments of deep emotional exhaustion, she finds strength in sharing her truth so that others might avoid the same pitfalls. She urges every patient to demand all sides of the story, not just the most hopeful version. Maija believes that a social worker should be present in the room alongside the surgeon to help process the life-altering information being shared. Her message to others is to take a second to absorb the diagnosis before making decisions on treatment plans, bring a support system to every appointment to help hear the details, and never stop advocating for a treatment plan that considers the person behind the patient. At the end of the day, she hopes her story encourages others to trust their instincts and seek the full truth before the first incision is ever made.